Declan Rice is battling with a broken TOE – with Mikel Arteta sweating on the midfielder’s fitness ahead of Arsenal’s tricky trip to Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will give Declan Rice every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.

The midfielder missed Wednesday’s Champions League clash with what Arteta described as a ‘foot’ injury suffered in the defeat by Newcastle.

It is understood Rice has suffered a broken toe.

The blow will be assessed in the next 48 hours but the Gunners boss is ready to make a late decision on the availability of his key midfielder.

The severity of the problem is such that Rice could yet play in the game at Stamford Bridge, particular given the magnitude of the game following a run of three league matches without victory.

Rice has been included in the England squad to face Greece and Ireland next week despite the injury.