Mikel Arteta has brushed off any tension between Arsenal’s assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg and Declan Rice after their public spat. The pair were seen in a heated exchange in the Stamford Bridge tunnel, with Rice clearly agitated, but Arteta assures that the issue has been settled.

In the video, Rice is seen gesturing dramatically at Stuivenberg, leading to Gabriel Magalhaes stepping in to defuse the situation.

Earlier in the match, Rice had set up Ben White for the opening goal. Further strikes from Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres put the Gunners in the driving seat, although Alejandro Garnacho’s brace kept Chelsea in the tie ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Before the crucial return fixture, Arsenal have a packed schedule with five matches across the Premier League and Champions League. Their next challenge is a Saturday evening visit to Nottingham Forest.

Addressing the possibility of any of the quartet featuring, he stated: “There might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now and see if somebody is available for the weekend.”

After their encounter at the City Ground, Arsenal continue their away fixtures with a trip to face Inter Milan in their penultimate European league stage match.

Kairat Almaty will then visit the Emirates shortly afterwards, with Arsenal aiming to secure a top-eight finish and bypass the play-off round.

Arsenal conclude January with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds, before the semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

Arteta’s squad face another demanding February schedule, potentially featuring six fixtures depending on their progression to the Carabao Cup final.

Confirmed matches include encounters with Sunderland, Brentford and Tottenham, as well as an FA Cup fourth-round meeting with Wigan.