01/01/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JAN 1, 2026

30

Rice adds to Gunners injury crisis

Ű BY LUKE BAKER

DECLAN RICE has added to Arsenal’s injury crisis after missing yesterday clash with Aston Villa due to a knee issue. Talismanic midfielder Rice sustained the knee injury during the weekend’s 2-1 win over Brighton, where he was forced into duty as an emergency right-back due to other injuries, but was able to complete the match and was hopeful of being fit to face Premier League title rivals Villa. However, the 26-year-old wasn’t able to recover in time and was left out of the squad to avoid aggravating the issue further. Although the full extent of the injury is not yet clear, the current expectation is that his

he’d dropped out of the Seagulls clash during the warm-up. “It’s something that he felt yesterday, it’s something very awkward that happened and today in the warm-up, he wasn’t comfortable.” Amid the Rice woe, there were however a few positives on the teamsheet to face Villa with Timber having recovered to start at rightback. And Gabriel, whose absence since 8 Nov ended with a substitute appearance against Brighton is fit enough to start at centre-back alongside Saliba. – The Independent

he can function (and) he will be fine. We miss Riccy (Calafiori) as well today.” Rice’s injury followed a slew of Arsenal injuries across the Christmas period, especially in defence. Riccardo Calafiori was a late withdrawal before the Brighton clash, due to an injury sustained in the warm-up, while likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera have all missed games. “There’s something with Richy as well, very, very strange,” Arteta said about Calafiori once

absence will only be a short-term one. “Declan got a big kick in his knee during the match (against Brighton), at the start of the match actually, and by the time he finished the match he had a massive swell up,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta explained before the Villa clash. “The game was too early for him to consider.” When asked if it was a short-term injury for the England international, Arteta added: “I think so. “I hope that when the swelling comes out

Carra all praise for Gabriel Sky Sports pundit labels Arsenal star ‘most influential player in the Premier League’

6069/2025

31/12/2025 (WED)

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Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes reacts after sustaining an injury during the Premier League match against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

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Draw Date: 31/12/25 (Wed)

Draw No: 6016/25 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

1120 9625 4956

5,827,610.41

4319 + 2468 9089+ 8036 8143+ 8222 6346+ 6416 1526+ 9668

8665+ 5753 8746+ 1215 6339+ 0189 0137 + 6626 0532+ 8047

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412,353.45

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RM22,095,653.40

1120 + 9625 1120 + 4956 9625+ 4956

9625+ 1120 4956+ 1120 4956+ 9625

Ű BY CHRIS WILSON

“We saw it today,” said Arteta. “He came back after six weeks out, which should’ve probably been eight weeks out but he came back earlier. “He composed himself against probably one of the best strikers in the League (Watkins), who is very hard to mark. I thought he was tremendous.” The Brazilian was awarded the man of the match award for his key role in the win and was eventually substituted, though it is not thought to be down to injury. But Carragher had no kind words for Viktor Gyokeres, suggesting that either Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz should be Arsenal’s starting striker from now on. The 27-year-old has become the focus of an Arsenal attack that hasn’t quite clicked in recent weeks, and he was once again fairly ineffective despite the Gunners’s dominant performance in the 4-1 rout of Aston Villa. To make matters worse, Jesus came on as a substitute for Gyokeres and scored the goal of the game late on, stroking a brilliant effort into the far corner to make it 4-0. “The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal, is that Gyokeres should not be starting, when they have players like this,” explained Carragher. “In a couple of games time, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be starting. He’s a better player than Gyokeres – that’s a fact. “There’s been questions in the past asking if (Jesus) is good enough for Arsenal to go and win the League,” added the former England international. “But right now he’s better than the guy they brought in who they thought was going to win them the League. “Him or Havertz as the central striker is a better player than Gyokeres. He lacks finesse and quality when you think of what they’ve got on the bench. “I think Arsenal need to improve on Gyokeres and they’ve got players that can in Jesus.” – The Independent

F ORMER Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes is the “most influential player in the Premier League” after the Brazilian scored the opener in the Gunners’ 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa. Gabriel returned to the Arsenal squad for the win over Brighton after missing six League matches with a hamstring injury, and he was included in the starting XI for the first time since Nov 8 as the Gunners welcomed Villa in a match that was billed as a clash between title rivals. And the 28-year-old made his mark soon after half-time, opening the scoring as his pressure on Emi Martinez paid off, with the Argentine goalkeeper fumbling the ball to allow him to bundle in. The goal highlighted Gabriel’s threat from set-pieces – with the Brazilian having now scored twice in the League this season and assisted twice too – and provided the platform for the Gunners’ subsequent domination of the match. And while a late Ollie Watkins goal meant Arsenal were denied a clean sheet, Sky Sports pundit Carragher was quick to highlight the impact of the return of the Brazilian, who already had seven League clean sheets in 11 matches before kickoff. “Gabriel being back is huge. Before I’ve said that he’s the most influential player in the Premier League, and we’ve seen it again tonight,” explained Carragher. “It felt like more than three points, psychologically. The feeling around the training ground tomorrow will be completely different. “It was fantastic for everybody in that stadium tonight,” added the former England international. Mikel Arteta was quick to echo Carragher’s sentiments, explaining that his side saw the importance of having Gabriel back this evening.

5811 6427 0974 DRAGON

RM204,502.90

RM271,388.80

481 120 + RABBIT

RM740,000.00

1 3 2 0 4 3 2 0 4 2 0 4 0 4

899 625 + RAT

RM843,339.00

5 6 7 7 0 2 6 1 9 2

854 956 + HORSE

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1 7 16 17 25 51

32,432,999.45

RM852,749.50 120 + 625 + 956 625 + 956 + 120 120 + 956 + 625 956 + 120 + 625 625 + 120 + 956 956 + 625 + 120

8 19 28 47 49 55

3,378,731.57

12 14 20 21 32 48 34

HSSB 1+3DJ1 RM1,372,751.30 & J2 RM419,472.30 won on 30/12/25

13,313,548.76 335,401.95