Arsenal have reportedly been handed a boost over the fitness of Declan Rice, with the midfielder's back injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur not as bad as first feared.
The 24-year-old has been a regular for the Gunners since making a big-money move from West Ham United in the summer, signing for a fee in the region of £100m.
Rice has started all six of Arsenal's Premier League matches so far this term, making the net ripple on one occasion, with that 96th-minute strike sealing a 3-1 win over Manchester United before the international break.
The England international rounded off his spell at West Ham by winning the Europa Conference League last season, beating Serie A outfit Fiorentina in the final in Prague.
According to the Evening Standard, Rice's back injury is not as serious as first feared, meaning that the midfielder could return to action sooner than anticipated for the Gunners.
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The former Ireland youngster was forced off at half time during the North London derby against Tottenham due to the knock, with former Chelsea man Jorginho replacing him in the midfield.
A Gunners engine room of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and the aforementioned Jorginho played out the second period and helped Mikel Arteta's men to a 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou's Lilywhites.
The report claims that after the initial diagnosis of the injury to Rice, it is believed that the former West Ham player has not done any significant damage to his back.
It is expected that the summer signing will sit out of Arsenal's EFL Cup clash at Brentford on Wednesday night, when Arteta's men will look to book their place in the fourth round.
The North Londoners are said to be targeting Rice's return for their next Premier League contest at the Vitality Stadium, where they face winless Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
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The Gunners are currently unbeaten in the league after six matches, collecting 14 point in the process, although they are already four points behind Manchester City, who are yet to drop a point in the new campaign.
Another injury concern for Arsenal arrives in the form of attacker Bukayo Saka, however the report adds that a nasty knock that the winger received to his foot on Sunday is not a serious issue.
Leandro Trossard is also hopeful of being available for selection at Bournemouth on the weekend, after the Belgian missed the North London derby on Sunday due to a muscle issue.
A longer-term absentee for Arteta's men is midfielder Thomas Partey, however it is understood that the Ghanaian's recovery from a groin injury sustained last month is progressing well.
Carter White
