Arsenal’s Declan Rice will miss the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to a red card received in the 1-1 draw on Saturday.
In their early match against Brighton & Hove Albion, managed impressively by Fabian Hürzeler, Arsenal faced a challenging opponent. Despite this, Bukayo Saka assisted Kai Havertz for a superb finish that gave Arsenal a first-half lead.
However, the game shifted in the second half when Rice received a second yellow card just minutes after the break. The incident occurred when Rice touched the ball just before Joel Veltman’s attempted clearance, leading to an unjustified red card for Rice.
The dismissal significantly impacted Arsenal’s performance, costing them crucial points. The suspension means Rice will miss Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the international break.
Despite the setback, Saka expressed confidence about the derby, stating, “We’ll be ready for them,” in an interview with TNT Sports.
**Implications for the North London Derby:**
Rice’s absence will weaken Arsenal’s midfield, providing a notable advantage for Tottenham. Spurs will likely view this as an opportunity to capitalize on Arsenal’s weakened lineup.
Mikel Arteta now faces a selection dilemma. He could opt to include Jorginho, move Thomas Partey to an advanced role, or revert Kai Havertz to midfield while potentially starting Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Jesus if fit.
With Rice out, Tottenham will be keen to exploit Arsenal’s vulnerabilities, especially given their home advantage.
