No fitness concerns over Declan Rice, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
- Oscar Sanders
- 19 July 2023
Mikel Arteta allayed concerns over star signing Declan Rice's fitness ahead of a potential first Arsenal appearance against the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta has quashed fears over star signing Declan Rice's fitness ahead of a potential first Arsenal appearance against the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old midfielder completed his British record £105million move from West Ham to the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.
Rice travelled with his new team-mates to the United States but was unable to train in Washington DC on Monday, working on an exercise bike by the pitch.
"We just wanted to manage him," Arsenal boss Arteta said of the England international.
"Obviously a lot has happened to him in the last five or six days.
"He had a very hectic schedule and he had a few training sessions that went really good, but prior to that, he didn't do much before he joined us.
"So we wanted to just manage him. He trained today with us. He was in good form and he's fine."
Wednesday's match kicks off Arsenal's pre-season tour of the USA and Arteta is looking forward to facing the Wayne Rooney-coached All-Stars at Audi Field.
"It's going to be a special, unpredictable game obviously because we are going to play and change a lot of players as well," the Spaniard said.
"It's great to be invited and be part of this and hopefully we can give something back to the fans to cheer."
