Mikel Arteta responds to concerns over ‘exhausted’ Arsenal star after Slavia Prague win

Mikel Arteta has played down concerns over Declan Rice ’s fitness after Arsenal ’s 2-1 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday night. First-half goals from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal a commanding lead but Arsenal struggled in the second half and Slavia Prague deservedly pulled a goal back through Wiktor Nowak in the 90th minute. Rice completed a full 90 minutes in Prague but the 27-year-old showed clear signs of tiredness in the second half.