Kai Havertz new role, Gabriel Jesus return – Arsenal solve Declan Rice suspension vs Tottenham
Solving an Arsenal problem like the North London Derby without Declan Rice. When you consider that last season’s victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the first time since 1988 that the Gunners had won back-to-back away clashes at their bitter rivals and Rice was a key figure of course in helping that happen.
Yet the England international was yet to arrive at Arsenal when Mikel Arteta’s side ended a near-nine-year wait for a win on Tottenham soil. An own goal from Hugo Lloris and a brilliant strike from Martin Odegaard were the difference in January of 2023 to set up a big end to the season in a surprise title race that the Gunners have since established themselves in.
The midfield that day was made of the aforementioned Odegaard along with Thomas Partey and the now departed Granit Xhaka. It is this third midfield slot that Arteta needs to find the right part to fill in the absence of Rice.
