Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Declan Rice is “improving” after being forced out of Tuesday’s 4–1 thumping of Aston Villa with a knee injury, although he was less optimistic about the midfielder’s chances of facing Bournemouth this weekend.

The Premier League leaders heading into 2026 hail from the Emirates after Mikel Arteta’s Gunners ended the year with a dominant 4-1 win over visiting Villa.

Returning defender Gabriel opened the scoring, bundling home from the Gunners' first corner of the game, before Martin Zubimendi slotted in after a brilliant Martin Odegaard through ball for Arsenal’s...