Declan Rice could play a part in Arsenal’s pre-season clash with an MLS All-Star side on Thursday after boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that he trained with the team ahead of the game.
Rice was pictured watching on from an exercise bike during the Gunners’ open training session on Monday after completing his long-awaited £105m from West Ham.
But Arteta says Rice is “fine” and that it was a case of managing the midfielder as he gets up to speed.
“We just wanted to manage him,” Arteta said.
“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 yeah, he’s fine.”
The MLS All-Star team is managed by current DC United boss and former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who hailed Arteta for the “incredible” job he has done at Arsenal ahead of the game.
Former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, Matt Miazga formerly of Chelsea, and ex-Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki are among the biggest names in the All Star squad, and Arteta says he is looking forward to the game.
“For me as an Arsenal coach to play against the MLS All-Stars, it’s great. I love the idea and I love the experience, and I think it’s great,” he said.
