Arsenal are back in Champions League action this week as they face Club Brugge on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners have been punch-perfect in Europe so far, and they head to Belgium this week as favourites to extend their winning run.
However, this is Arsenal Football Club, and it’s very rare that anything is as straightforward as it seems.
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?
Declan Rice has had some fitness concerns as of late. Rice went off with what appeared to be a calf injury against Brentford last week, but he was deemed fit enough to start against Aston Villa at the weekend.
However, Rice clearly wasn’t at 100% capacity against Villa, and now, another update on his fitness has emerged.
Declan Rice misses Arsenal training
According to The Standard, Declan Rice did not take part in team training ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Belgium.
It’s noted that Rice was working separately from his teammates as both he and Leandro Trossard worked indoors away from the main group.
Rice hasn’t been fully ruled out of this European game, but it’s said a decision will have to be made ahead of this match.
Arsenal do need to rotate ahead of another key Premier League game this weekend, and this could be a chance for Rice to have a rest.
Declan Rice has played a lot of football this season
It may not be the worst thing in the world if Rice misses this game against Club Brugge.
Indeed, Rice has played a lot of football this season already, and it may be best if he takes a bit of time out of the team to rest and recuperate.
How should Mikel Arteta manage Declan Rice’s minutes at Arsenal?
Declan Rice has played more minutes at Arsenal this season than any other outfield player
Let’s be honest, Club Brugge are hardly going to be Arsenal’s toughest opponents this season, and with 12 Champions League points on the board already, Arsenal look in good shape to qualify for the next round in any case.
It may be a wise move if Mikel Arteta leaves his star midfielder in London this week.
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