Declan Rice and Gabriel latest as huge Arsenal injury update emerges before Forest

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Arsenal now know if Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes will be fit to face to Nottingham Forest this evening.

Both Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes were subject to late fitness tests ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the City Ground. 

Both players picked up knocks against Crystal Palace last time out.

Mikel Arteta will have been desperately hoping for the midfielder and centre-back to be cleared for action in this match against the Midlands outfit, and it seems that the Spanish coach has now gotten his wish. 

According to The Standard, both the former West Ham United man and the Brazilian defender are now expected to be available for inclusion in the starting XI tonight. If they are fit enough, Arteta will surely pick both players in his team.

Rice and Gabriel are hugely important figures at the Emirates Stadium.

Why Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes are so important to Arsenal

Since joining the north London club in the recent summer transfer window, Rice has quickly established himself as a talismanic presence in the middle of the park.

The England international brings a huge physical presence to the team, and has the ability to cover vast amounts of ground in order to break up opposition counter-attacks and protect the back four. When on the ball, the 25-year-old is capable of dragging his team up the pitch with surging runs.

Meanwhile, Gabriel is a stalwart in the Gunners’ rearguard. The 26-year-old has established a rock-solid partnership with William Saliba in the heart of the Arsenal defence. Whilst the Frenchman may often get more of spotlight and attract the lion’s share of praise from the media, Gabriel’s importance to the team should not be underestimated. The 6-cap Brazil international also offers a threat in the final third from set-piece situations, as he showed with his goal against Crystal Palace.

It will come as a huge boost to Arteta to have both players available to him for the clash against Nottingham Forest, as he will already have to cope without the use of Thomas Partey. The Gunners need a win from this game in order to keep their recovery from the abject patch of form they endured around the New Year period on track. 

If Arsenal can win at the City Ground and pick up another three points against current league leaders Liverpool in their subsequent fixture, the Arteta’s side will be thrust right back into the heat of the title race.