Arsenal star Declan Rice insists he will be available to face Aston Villa on Saturday

Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brentford last night at Emirates Stadium, but Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was left sweating over the fitness of more key players. Arsenal headed into the game yesterday with both Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba unavailable due to injuries, while Cristhian Mosquera was forced off in the first-half against the Bees after appearing to land awkwardly following a header. Gunners midfielder Declan Rice also picked up an injury as he had to come off after 83 minutes, with ice strapped on his calf as he went back on the pitch after the final whistle.

However, the Arsenal star played down concerns over his fitness after the game, telling Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill that he is fine and will be available when the North London club travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa on Saturday. Rice was able to walk properly at full-time last night but further tests will be carried out today to determine the extent of his injury. He felt good after the initial blow and would be desperate to face Villa, but the Gunners will not risk him if he is not fit enough.

The Villans have been a tough nut to crack for Arsenal in recent meetings, with just a win to their name in their last four league matches. Villa have won twice and drawn once, and they will be keen to prove themselves again this weekend, with just six points between them and the league leaders after 14 games. Losing home and away to Villa in 2023-24 cost Arsenal the league title as they finished the campaign two points behind eventual champions Manchester City. Arteta and his men will be wary of the threat Unai Emery and his players pose, and he could do with his key players for such a huge game.