Declan Rice is a confirmed absentee for Arsenal’s crunch Premier League trip to Tottenham on September 15.
The England international was controversially sent off for two yellow cards in the Gunners 1-1 EPL draw with Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break.
Rice’s dismissal incurred an automatic one-game ban and he will miss the key trip across North London with Jorginho set to step in as cover.
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However, despite the return of Rice for the UEFA Champions League opener at Atalanta on September 19, and the Premier League trip to champions Manchester City three days later, the situation could get worse.
Rice is a certainty to start away at the Etihad Stadium, but as he received two bookings against Brighton, he is now on to three for the season so far.
Premier League rules stipulate five yellow cards in the first 19 games of a league season triggers a one-game ban, regardless of if they included an in-game dismissal.
A yellow card at City, and in Arsenal’s final game of the month at home to Leicester City on September 28, will mean Rice misses the home game with Southampton on October 2.
Ten yellow cards by week 32 incurs a two-game ban, and fifteen before matchday 38 means a three-game ban, with Rice picking up five EPL bookings in his debut season at Arsenal in 2023/24.
