Mikel Arteta challenged Declan Rice to improve his long throws and replicate the standards set by Brentford right back Michael Kayode.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has given an update on the fitness of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba ahead of hosting struggling Wolves in the Premier League. The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries over the past few weeks and were without eight players for Wednesday’s win at Club Brugge.

Mikel Arteta believes there is more to come from Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice ahead of Sunday's battle with Chelsea's formidable duo Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo.

Rice is more of a suckerpunch. The reliably durable midfielder had shaken off an injury doubt from midweek to play the full 90 minutes against Villa only to then be absent from training ahead of the trip to Belgium. Arteta confirmed that all three would miss out of the league phase match, although downplayed the severity of Rice’s ailment.

Declan Rice is a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday. The Gunners are five points clear at the summit of English football after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Brentford with Mikel Arteta overseeing that excellent start to the season despite injuries to key personnel.

Arteta’s focus won’t be on making Rice Arsenal’s Kayode with long throws. Instead, he will continue to make him Arsenal’s Action Man in midfield, their Mr Everything, capable in both open-play and from set pieces.

Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba were all absent from Arsenal's open training session at London Colney as Mikel Arteta's side prepare for their trip to Club Brugge

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta offered a concerning update about Declan Rice after the midfielder was forced off during the Gunners’ victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening. Rice was taken off with a suspected calf issue in the 83rd minute, with the north London giants going on to secure a 2-0 win.

I hate to be the armband police but I think it’s time…' 😳 'Strip the captaincy from him' 😬 'Can’t believe 8 is our captain’

Declan Rice was forced off late on in Arsenal's midweek Premier League victory at home to Brentford and manager Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the midfielder