Declan Rice has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Club Brugge due to illness; however, the midfielder was still eager to travel.
On Tuesday afternoon, Arteta revealed that Rice was ill, meaning he will need to find a solution in his midfield.
The 26-year-old has played a lot of football this season with the Gunners having limited cover for him.
Who should replace Declan Rice when Arsenal take on Club Brugge in the Champions League?
Declan Rice has been ruled out of Arsenal's clash vs Club Brugge!
Alan Smith worries about Arsenal’s lack of cover for Rice, and perhaps it is an issue that the North London club must look to address in January.
Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly are among the options who could step in to replace the England international in Belgium.
Arsenal refused Declan Rice’s request to play against Club Brugge
Arsenal had to refuse Declan Rice’s request to play against Club Brugge in the Champions League, according to Hand of Arsenal.
Despite being unwell, the Arsenal vice-captain was still keen to make the trip to Belgium with Mikel Arteta’s squad.
It’s just as well anyway, as the midfielder looks like a player who could do with a rest, given the number of matches he has played for Arsenal.
Andrea Berta must sign cover for Rice in January, with the player having spoken about how tricky it has been to balance his recovery between matches.
January is always a tricky window to operate in, but the North Londoners need to find a player who can allow Rice to rest before he picks up a long-term issue.
If you could sign one midfielder from any club in the world to join Arsenal as a backup for Declan Rice, who would it be and why?
Not only has his performance been stellar, but behind the scenes, Rice is becoming a Patrick Vieira-like leader at Arsenal.
Therefore, losing him for any length of time could be a massive blow to Arteta’s Premier League title hopes.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has a key point to prove against Club Brugge
Last season, Lewis-Skelly was bossing it against Real Madrid, but now he cannot seem to get back into the team at the Emirates Stadium.
There has been talk of Lewis-Skelly leaving on loan in January, but that seems unlikely given that Arsenal view him as a key member of the squad.
This now means that away at Club Brugge, it is going to be a chance for the teenager to stake his claim to start more often for the Gunners.
The 19-year-old has looked really good in midfield previously, and he could now start in Rice’s place in the Champions League.
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