September 10th 2024.
Unfortunately, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will not be able to play in the upcoming north London derby due to a suspension stemming from his red card in the match against Brighton. Referee Chris Kavanagh had no choice but to send Rice off, according to the Premier League's Match Incidents panel.
The influential English star was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card for obstructing Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick. While the contact made by Rice was minimal, Kavanagh deemed it to be a deliberate attempt to impede his opponent. The panel unanimously agreed with the decision, stating that Rice was aware of his actions and the referee had no other option.
This suspension comes as a major blow to Arsenal, who will now have to face their fierce rivals Tottenham without their midfield linchpin. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration with the decision, stating that he was amazed by the inconsistency in officiating. He pointed out that there were similar incidents in the first half that went unpunished, but Rice's minor touch on the ball resulted in a red card.
In addition to Rice's suspension, Arsenal also suffered injuries to new signing Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, who sustained a setback while playing for Norway. Odegaard's injury is particularly concerning, as the team doctor stated that they will have to wait and see how it progresses before determining the next steps. Ankle sprains are difficult to deal with, and further examinations will be needed to assess the severity of the injury.
The absence of Rice and the injuries to Merino and Odegaard have limited Arteta's options for the upcoming matches, adding to the already daunting challenge they face in the next seven days. The team will have to regroup and come up with a game plan to overcome these setbacks and continue their pursuit for success.
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