Arsenal's preparations for their crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting Lisbon have been hit by a fresh concern, with key midfielder Declan Rice absent from the team's final open training session on Tuesday.

Rice, who recently returned from an international break issue to feature in the first leg, was a notable omission alongside several other first-team stars. The 27-year-old's potential absence would be a significant blow, given his influential role as a stand-in captain and midfield anchor for the Premier League leaders.

The injury list appears to be mounting at a critical juncture. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Jurriën Timber, and new signing Riccardo Calafiori were also missing from the session. Saka has missed the last three matches, captain Ødegaard was unfit for the weekend's loss to Bournemouth, and the impressive Timber hasn't featured in a month.

This news casts a shadow over what is already a massive week for the Gunners. They hold a narrow 1-0 lead heading into Wednesday's clash at the Emirates, thanks to Kai Havertz's late winner in Lisbon. However, they must now regroup quickly after a surprise 2-1 league defeat to Bournemouth, which allowed Manchester City to close the gap at the top.

The squad's depth and resilience will be tested like never before, with a titanic Premier League showdown against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium looming this Sunday. Navigating this intense period will require every available player to step up as Arsenal chase glory on two fronts.