Arteta issues Rice and Calafiori injury update in Arsenal boost

Arsenal have been boosted by the return to fitness of both Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

The pair were both absent on Wednesday night when the Gunners beat Crystal Palace 3-2 to book a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Rice had been forced off in the game before during Arsenal’s draw against Everton, while Calafiori has not played since November 30, when Mikel Arteta’s side won at West Ham, due to a groin injury.

Calafiori and Rice, however, could be involved on Saturday when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Asked about the pair at his press conference on Friday afternoon, manager Mikel Arteta said: “They are both available to be in the squad.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko is also in contention to play, but Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out with knee injuries.

“No Tomiyasu and Zinchenko probably available as well,” said Arteta. “I think he (Zinchenko) could be available.”

The return of Calafiori and Zinchenko will boost Arsenal’s defensive options, which have been repeatedly stretched this season.

Kieran Tierney started his first game for the club since May 2023 on Wednesday night, when he was named in the team to face Palace.

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