‘Definitely’: Tony Cascarino is convinced one Arsenal player has actually been playing with an injury for ages

Arsenal have suffered multiple injuries this season and simply put, any more could well and truly derail their season.

But the challenge for Mikel Arteta is that he already has a wafer-thin squad and keeping his players fully fit at all times is unrealistic when considering fixtures are coming in thick and fast.

Before the international break later this month, Arsenal have four games to play in under two weeks — with important games to come such as two legs against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League as well as heavyweight Premier League clashes against Manchester United and Chelsea.

For Mikel Arteta, it could be argued that the most devastating potential injury blow could be that of Declan Rice.

The England international’s quality coupled with his leadership make him an indispensable cog in this Arsenal side.

However, Tony Cascarino is of the belief that Rice has been playing with an injury for a while now.

Tony Cascarino thinks Declan Rice is “carrying an injury”

The former West Ham United midfielder started in Arsenal’s latest 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	ArsenalArsenal	27	15	9	3	51	23	28	54

But Tony Cascarino believes Rice is not fully fit and looks like he has had a niggle for a while as in the pundit’s eyes, the 26-year-old’s form has tailed off.

Rice — who Yaya Toure praised has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers since his move to the Emirates Stadium in 2023, which has made Cascarino make such a claim.

The pundit said on talkSPORT: “Declan’s had an indifferent month or two. He’s definitely carrying an injury, I look at Declan and think, there’s something not quite right.”

“He’s definitely got a niggle that he hasn’t got over because he’s just not playing to a way we know he can.”

It is commonplace for players to play despite not being fully at the races, with Rice revealing Leandro Trossard playing through illness against Ipswich Town earlier this season.

Declan Rice injury history at Arsenal and West Ham

The Europa Conference League winner is a warrior on the pitch and it would be no surprise if he had no qualms about playing despite being injured.

But perhaps one reason why Tony Cascarino reckons Rice might be injured is because he is as durable as one can be and very rarely looks unfit or even remotely tired on the pitch.

During his time at the senior level, the once-Chelsea academy graduate has missed just 10 games through injury or illness.

As a result, it would be safe to assume that Rice is fine to play and in addition, he has fared well.

Paul Scholes feels Rice shouldn’t play further forward due to being best-suited as a defensive midfielder but even so, he is always happy to do a job for the team and regardless of his suspected fitness issues, Mikel Arteta will be fully aware that he can rely on him.