Liverpool rivals Arsenal could be without seven players for Tottenham derby
Declan Rice's suspension has been a hot topic ahead of Arsenal's crucial North London Derby against Tottenham following the international break. The England ace, who scored and assisted in the Three Lions' victory over the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on Saturday, is ruled out for the big game.
Rice was somewhat controversially dismissed in the 1-1 stalemate with Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday, after he kicked the ball away as Joel Veltman attempted to take a quick free-kick.
The red card, resulting from two yellow cards, could not be overturned by VAR, nor could Arsenal appeal the decision. This means he will be absent for the North London Derby when Premier League action resumes next weekend. But Rice won't be the only absentee for Arsenal. In fact, the Gunners could be missing up to seven players for the Spurs derby clash.
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There were worries about captain Martin Odegaard, who sustained a knock during the Brighton match, but the midfielder completed the full 90 minutes of Norway's Nations League encounter with Kazakhstan on Friday and should be fit to face Spurs unless he suffers an injury during the remainder of the international break, reports Football London.
However, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are sidelined with knee and hamstring injuries respectively. Jurrien Timber might also be unavailable after being substituted during the Brighton match. Arteta downplayed the issue, describing it as just "cramping", but there is no official confirmation yet.
Gabriel Jesus, who has been sidelined since the season's opener due to a groin injury, might make a return for the Spurs clash, but he remains uncertain. Mikel Merino, yet to make his Arsenal debut, is expected to be out for a few months following a shoulder injury sustained during his first training session with the club.
Riccardo Calafiori could also be absent from the crucial derby match after sustaining an injury during Italy's Nations League victory over France. The injury occurred in a peculiar incident where Calafiori was heavily impacted by Ousmane Dembele following a challenge by Alessandro Bastoni.
This implies that Arsenal could potentially be missing seven players for the North London Derby. However, Arteta will be hoping that the number is reduced to four if Calafiori's injury isn't as severe as initially thought and both Jesus and Timber regain full fitness.
Liverpool.com says: Arsenal's injury-hit squad pales in comparison to Liverpool's. And while we wish no ill will on any player, it cannot be ignored that Arsenal being without so many players will have an impact on their future games.
With a title race looking likely between three teams only, any negative results in the long run will only be a benefit to Liverpool.