Declan Rice North London Derby absence gives Arsenal transfer incentive ahead of double exit

Arsenal have a lot to consider ahead of the North London Derby with Declan Rice suspended and Mikel Arteta having a few options to replace the England international who starred for his country against the Republic of Ireland at the weekend. There are few things worse for a coach than seeing a player perform well knowing you’re unable to use them.

Rice has been a fulcrum of the team and played 38 games across the league last season. Worryingly, the only game he was forced off through injury was against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium and Jorginho who came on to replace him made a key error which gifted Spurs the equaliser and surrendered two points which proved the difference come the end of the season.

Jorginho is again an option for Arteta to replace Rice although many, myself included, feel that Kai Havertz would be a better option and then to bring in a different player up top. Gabriel Jesus is an option as is the newly acquired Raheem Sterling.

However, the thinness that Rice’s absence has brought also highlights the impending key transfer decisions that will need to be made. Perhaps even as early as January, Arsenal could be forced to make some crucial decisions.

Jorginho’s and Thomas Partey’s contracts expire at the end of the season. Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are reported to be interested in the Ghanaian, with the trio primed to jump on the chance of landing the midfielder on a free transfer.

There has been little to no indication that Arsenal have made any noises about a new contract for Partey or Jorginho although the Italian did sign a new one-year deal this past summer window. With both gone, Arteta will be left with Rice and Mikel Merino as players who can play deeper in the midfield – Albert Sambi Lokonga is on loan with Sevilla and there is an option to make the move permanent with the Belgian already stating an aim to stay with the La Liga club beyond just this season.

Therefore it could even be beneficial for the Gunners to bring some reinforcement even earlier than the summer and utilise the winter window. Partey’s injury record is not good and now Merino has suffered a significant issue before barely kicking a ball on the training ground.

The question will, as always, be who? Midfielders are a rare breed and very few have been identified with champions Manchester City opting to bring back 33-year-old Ilkay Gundogan instead of committing to a new player after the disappointing returns from Kalvin Phillips and Matheus Nunes.

Sporting director Edu has however been good at finding some gems, especially in January with the recent acquisitions of Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and the aforementioned Jorginho. Time will tell whether the Gunners are able to find a new surprise this winter but the pressure is mounting.