Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta addressed concerns regarding Declan Rice's fitness after he had to be substituted during the victory against Chelsea. Rice reportedly experienced discomfort in his knee, leading to him requesting to be taken off near the end of the match. This incident raised alarms given Arsenal's quick turnaround for their upcoming Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion.

At his press conference, Arteta reassured fans by stating that Rice appeared to be in better condition following the initial scare. With the match scheduled for Wednesday, the manager expressed hopefulness about Rice's involvement, despite the limited time left for full training. Additionally, questions regarding the fitness of goalkeeper David Raya also arose, illustrating the broader injury concerns as the team prepares for another key match in the Premier League.

The predicament presents a key moment for Arsenal as they aim to maintain their position in the league and are faced with the challenge of managing player fitness amidst busy fixture congestion. With both Rice and Raya showing signs of improvement, the team's readiness for the match against Brighton appears to be optimistic, although their full recovery will be pivotal for Arteta's strategic planning in upcoming contests.