Arsenal face a huge dilemma for their next game after their 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, as Declan Rice is now suspended.
Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Rice a second yellow card in astonishing circumstances, as the midfielder was booked after Brighton defender Joel Veltman kicked him after the ball touched Rice’s foot during a stoppage.
Mikel Arteta has slammed the inconsistency of the refereeing decisions on display, which saw Joao Pedro unpunished for the same offence earlier on in the same game, and he will now be without his record signing for the next game.
The problem is that the next game is a tough away trip to Tottenham Hotspur, and with Arsenal already dropping points, they cannot afford to lose if they are to keep pace with Manchester City.
Summer signing Mikel Merino picked up an injury in training, which now appears to have come at the worst possible time, and Arteta now has a problem in midfield.
Arsenal face midfield problem against Tottenham Hotspur without Declan Rice
Although Rice has not been at his best in the last few games, he is still a crucial figure in midfield, and especially in tough away games.
The upcoming North London derby promises to be a fiery one against an intense attacking side, and legs are needed in midfield.
Although Thomas Partey has impressed on the ball in the last two games, his physicality is not what it used to be before his injury issues last year, and Jorginho is also not suited to more physically intense games.
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Jorginho and Partey have also never started together in midfield, and with both more suited to a deeper midfield role, there may not be balance with both in the lineup.
Mikel Arteta could finally try Oleksandr Zinchenko in Arsenal midfield
Questions have constantly been raised about Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defensive abilities at left-back, and many Arsenal fans are keen to see him tried in midfield, where he plays for Ukraine.
However, Mikel Arteta has previously shut down the idea of moving Zinchenko futher up the pitch, but this could be a surprise solution to Rice’s absence.
Zinchenko would bring technical composure to the middle of the park, and could also tuck in next to Partey to try and provide extra support.
With the main number eight options in Rice and Merino absent, this could be the opportunity he has been waiting for. Any option Arteta goes with would be a risk, but if Zinchenko thrives in midfield, it could open up further opportunities for him in the position.