Arsenal star is ruled out of Inter Milan clash after failing to travel with the squad to Italy in major blow to Mikel Arteta ahead of crucial Champions League tie

Declan Rice has not been included in Arsenal 's 23-man squad travelling to Inter Milan today — though Martin Odegaard is finally back.

The extent of Rice's injury is not yet known, with the midfielder having played the full 90 minutes of the Gunners' Premier League defeat by Newcastle United on Saturday.

But the news is a major blow after Arsenal's recent midfield woes.

Rice has been a mainstay in midfield ever since joining the club for £105m from West Ham in July 2023, but Arsenal will have to cope without him at San Siro on Wednesday night.

Rice's absence represents another setback for Arsenal after a difficult couple of weeks for the club.

Arteta's side have failed to win any of their last three league games to fall seven points behind leaders Liverpool , and were rocked by the news on Monday that Edu has resigned from his position as sporting director.

On a more positive note is the return of captain Odegaard. The Norwegian trained with the first team today and has travelled to Italy.

Odegaard has been out of action for two months, having picked up an ankle injury while playing for Norway in the September international break.

Arsenal have taken seven points from their opening three Champions League matches.

This is their second trip to Italy this season, having held Atalanta to a 0-0 draw back in September.