Big boost for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta provides Declan Rice injury update and confirms Kieran Tierney available for first Gunners appearance in 15 months ahead of Sporting CP clash

Arsenal midfielder Rice has been struggling with a toe injury in recent weeks and left-back Tierney has been out with a hamstring problem. However, Gunners manager Arteta says both are fit for their Champions League encounter away at Sporting CP this week.

He told reporters on Monday: "Everybody in the squad is fully fit and available to start the game. We have Kieran Tierney after a long injury, it’s great news that he’s back. He’s been training with the team and he’s at the level to participate."

Tierney's last appearance for Arsenal came in the 2023 Community Shield win over Manchester City and he is currently behind Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the left-back pecking order. Rice, on the other hand, is firmly first choice in the Gunners' starting lineup and could be key in this Champions League encounter. But having both back is a boost for Arteta's team.

Tierney's Arsenal take on Sporting on Tuesday night in the Champions League before travelling to London neighbours West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday evening.