Mikel Arteta offers worrying Declan Rice update after substituting midfielder during Arsenal's draw weith Everton

Rice could only manage an hour at the Emirates as the Gunners picked up a point against a resilient Everton side. The England midfielder looked in discomfort during the second half, prompting the Spaniard to replace him with Jorginho, while team-mate Martin Odegaard was also hooked.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: "He’s been with a little niggle the last week or so, he asked to be subbed in that moment."

The last thing Arteta will want is to lose his midfield general in the middle of a busy Christmas run. Rice was also withdrawn after 64 minutes in the midweek win against Monaco, suggesting that the Arsenal boss has been managing his minutes.

The games do not stop coming for the North London side but Arteta may take the opportunity to rest Rice when Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. Following that, they face the Eagles again but away from home in the Premier League.