Arsenal’s upcoming clash against Tottenham is set to be a real test, with the team facing the challenge without Declan Rice, who is suspended after a red card in the recent match against Brighton.
Rice’s suspension could prove disastrous for Arsenal, as his role in the midfield has been central to their strategy. Despite their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, Mikel Arteta’s squad is now on the back foot, forced to navigate a crucial derby without one of their most influential players.
Rice’s absence could spell trouble for Arsenal’s title ambitions. Over recent seasons, Rice has been indispensable, and his exclusion could derail the club’s carefully laid plans.
Arteta has come to depend on Rice for controlling the game and anchoring the midfield, so his absence raises serious concerns about Arsenal’s ability to cope.
Martin Keown has stirred the pot with his recent comments on how Arsenal might bridge the gap left by Rice’s suspension.
Speaking on Talk Sport, Keown suggested, “Jorginho has to come into that position and he has plenty of experience but it can’t just be one player.”
He further emphasized, “Back in the day there were many times when we were without the likes of Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, it didn’t matter. Players came in – Edu came in, or Kanu came in.”
His remarks highlight a controversial belief that Arsenal’s current squad might not be as resilient as those of past teams.
Keown’s critique underscores a glaring issue: Arsenal’s squad depth is under scrutiny. “You’ve got to have a squad who are strong enough and this is where the question mark will be with Arsenal because they’ve let a lot of good young players go and they had to do that to balance the books.”
By letting go of promising young talent to manage financial pressures, Arsenal might have compromised their ability to cover key absences effectively.
Despite the situation, Just Arsenal remains optimistic, arguing, “We have depth in midfield and our other players have to step up in the absence of Rice and ensure we earn the first bragging rights in the North London derby.”
The challenge now is whether the remaining squad members can rise to the occasion and secure a win, proving that Arsenal’s ambitions aren’t derailed by one suspension.
The pressure is on Arteta and his team to demonstrate that they can adapt and thrive, even when a pivotal player like Rice is missing.
