Arsenal were in a positive place heading into the international break – but that has all changed now.
The Gunners were unbeaten after three Premier League games. Mikel Arteta’s men had beaten Wolves and Aston Villa but were then held by Brighton – and that’s when the issues first started.
Declan Rice’s red card against the Seagulls sees him suspended for this weekend’s North London Derby. Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori have all since picked up injuries over what has been a tricky international break.
All of the players will start to return to Colney over the coming days, giving Arteta time to assess the state of his squad. Take a look at the latest headlines from the red half of North London.
Arsenal could potentially be without the services of Martin Odegaard for up to a MONTH. The Norwegian picked up an ankle issue during his nation’s clash with Austria on Monday evening.
He was helped off of the pitch by medical staff, while in tears. Odegaard was then pictured boarding a private plane while on crutches ahead of his return to North London.
Reports in Norway have suggested that the midfielder could consequently be ruled out until at least October, which would see him miss a host of key games. Arsenal take on Tottenham, Atalanta and then Manchester City over the next week.
Another star who will be absent during Sunday’s clash is Declan Rice. The midfielder was controversially sent off vs Brighton after picking up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
Arsenal were left furious at the decision but the Key Match Incidents panel – which reviews big decisions in the Premier League – have ruled that the decision was spot on. Their verdict read: “Rice knows what he’s doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice.”
Rice is set to return for the midweek clash with Atalanta, while he will also be available against Man City next weekend following his suspension.
Jorginho confirms next move
Rice’s midfield colleague Jorginho has confirmed that he will move into coaching once he departs North London. The Italian has just a year left on his contract with the Gunners.
He has recently admitted that he has changed his mind on becoming a coach. “Because of how I am and how much I love the, my friends back home, my family, since I was 18 or 19 they’re like: ‘You’re gonna be a coach.’. I was like: ‘What? I have, like, 15 years to play. What are you talking about?'” Jorginho told theSeaman Says podcast via Betway.
