Declan Rice’s suspension has created a significant challenge for Mikel Arteta as he prepares for the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham after the international break. Arsenal, eager to return to winning ways after their 1-1 draw with Brighton, now face the added difficulty of replacing Rice in their lineup.
Rice’s controversial red card, issued for delaying a quick free-kick by flicking the ball away, has been widely debated. Figures like John Terry have criticized the decision, calling it the “worst ever,” while former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara has also defended Rice. Despite the outcry, the red card, given after two yellow cards, cannot be overturned, much to the frustration of Arteta and Arsenal fans.
Mikel Merino, a key summer signing, would have been the ideal replacement for Rice in Arteta’s 4-1-2-3 formation, which features one defensive midfielder and two No. 8 However, Merino suffered a shoulder injury during his first training session, ruling him out for two months.
This situation forces Arteta to consider either changing his midfield setup or using versatile forward Kai Havertz in a deeper role. The first option might involve bringing in Jorginho, who has yet to play in any of Arsenal’s three Premier League games this season. However, this would likely require a double pivot, which could reduce Arsenal’s attacking potency against Spurs.