Declan Rice appears to have avoided serious injury, with reports suggesting he’ll be available to face Nottingham Forest in Arsenal’s next game.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Declan Rice of Arsenal is substituted off for teammate Jorginho during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal is substituted off for teammate Jorginho during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal fans were presented with another injury scare over the weekend, with Declan Rice withdrawing early from the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The Gunners had dominated the game, and they continued to do so in Rice’s absence, but there’s no doubt the summer signing has been a big part of most of Arsenal’s positive results this season.

To lose the midfielder for any significant length of time would be a blow, particularly with a game against league leaders Liverpool coming up.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal interacts with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal interacts with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

After the match, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Rice’s hamstring was the problem, admitting the player was feeling some discomfort. But the news since then has been more positive.

Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that despite some muscle tightness for the former West Ham man, there is now growing confidence that he hasn’t suffered any damage.

Rice is expected to be fit by the time Arsenal are next in action, which is away to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, January 30th at 19:30 GMT.

LUTON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal to make it 4-3 during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Arsenal FC at Kenilworth Road on December 05, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LUTON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s fourth goal to make it 4-3 during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Arsenal FC at Kenilworth Road on December 05, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s exit from the FA Cup was certainly a blow, but with all the niggling injuries going around the squad at the moment, the one positive is that the team finally have some recovery time between appearances.