Declan Rice has been the subject of intense scrutiny following his recent red card in Arsenal’s draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite the controversy surrounding his second yellow card—which some argue was harsh—Rice’s performance over the weekend has been a positive development for both him and Arsenal.
Rice’s dismissal means he will miss Arsenal’s crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. However, with the international break following the Brighton game, Arsenal faced the risk of Rice being sidelined for an extended period without competitive action.
This could have impacted his match sharpness significantly.
Fortunately for Arsenal, Rice played a full 90 minutes and scored in England’s Nations League victory over the Republic of Ireland.
This not only helped him maintain his match fitness but also provided him with valuable playing time in a high-pressure environment. Moreover, Rice emerged from the game without any injury concerns, addressing one of the potential risks of the international fixtures.
With Rice’s performance in Dublin allowing him to stay sharp, Arsenal will need to strategize how to manage his absence in the derby.
Despite the setback, Rice’s seamless return to form and fitness after his red card is a silver lining for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners as they prepare for their next big challenge.
Arsenal Get Ideal Outcome After Declan Rice’s Controversial Red Card