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Mikel Arteta has revealed that Declan Rice is “improving” and could be in contention to make his return for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Rice picked up a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion after starting the game at right-back. He was able to play on and finish the game, and was hopeful of being fit to play a part in Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa but was left out of the squad entirely for the 4-1 victory at Emirates Stadium.

The injury is not thought to be too serious, and when asked if the England international had a chance of coming back into the Arsenal squad for their trip to the Vitality Stadium on January 3 Arteta responded: “It depends.

“That swelling (on his knee) has to come right down for him to have the chance to function. He wasn’t available to do that today yet. He’s improving. Let’s see where he is in the next couple of days.”

While there are concerns over Rice, there was at least some positive news for Arteta who was able to welcome Kai Havertz and Ben White to the squad back for the Villa game.

Gabriel also returned to the starting XI after a lengthy spell out with a thigh injury to nod home the opening goal of the match, prompting praise from Arteta.

“Big Gabi comes back from injury after six weeks, which probably should have been a bit longer,” he said in his post-match press conference. “He comes against the team that is probably hardest to control — especially the front players and the striker that they have in terms of their movement.

“And he impacts the game in an incredible way, both defending and in the opposition box.”