There has been plenty of talk around Declan Rice in the build-up to Arsenal’s massive North London Derby with Tottenham after the international break. The England star, who scored and assisted as the Three Lions beat the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on Saturday, is suspended for the big match.
Rice was somewhat controversially sent off in the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday, kicking the ball away as Joel Veltman went to take a quick free-kick.
The red card, for two yellow cards, could not be overturned by VAR, nor could the Gunners appeal the decision. That means he will miss the North London Derby when Premier League football returns next weekend.
But Rice will not be the only one missing for Arsenal. In fact the Gunners could be without as many as seven players for the Spurs derby clash.
There had been concerns over captain Martin Odegaard, after he picked up a knock during the Brighton game, but the midfielder played the full 90 mintues of Norway’s Nations League clash with Kazakhstan on Friday and unless he picks up an injury during the rest of the international break, will be fine to face Spurs.
However, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are out with knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Jurrien Timber could also be on the sidelines after going off during the game against Brighton. Mikel Arteta did play down the issue, saying it was just “cramping” but there is no confirmation as yet.
abriel Jesus has been missing since the opening game of the season with a groin injury and could be back for Spurs but again it is unknown. Mikel Merino is yet to play for Arsenal and will be out for a couple of months after picking up a shoulder injury during his first training session with the club.
Riccardo Calafiori is the latest who could also miss the big derby game, after going off injured during Italy’s win over France in the Nations League. It was a bizarre injury, with Calafiori taking a heavy impact from Ousmane Dembele, after he was challenged by Alessandro Bastoni.
That means there are seven players Arsenal could be without for the North London Derby, although Arteta will hope it is only four, if Calafiori’s injury is not as bad as feared and Jesus and Timber are back to full fitness.
