Ian Wright believes the absence of Declan Rice from the North London derby will come as a big boost for Tottenham.
The English midfielder was sent off during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton last week, which means he will miss the crucial match against Spurs on 15th September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The red card was issued in a rather controversial manner after Rice received a second yellow for ‘delaying a restart’. He was deemed to have interfered with a free-kick by moving the ball away from Brighton’s Joel Veltman. The decision, which has sparked considerable debate, leaves Mikel Arteta without one of his key players for the derby.
Wright, an Arsenal legend, voiced his concern about Rice’s absence, emphasising how integral the midfielder has been to the Gunners’ performance this season.
He pointed out that Rice’s presence in the first half against Brighton was vital and that his absence contributed to Arsenal’s inability to secure all three points.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Wright stated:
“Yeah, it’s a big blow. I think it’s a big blow for us simply because he is so integral to everything that we are doing.
“If Declan (Rice) is on the pitch for the second half (against Brighton) then we would probably win that game. He is a big miss. I think you could see that in the way that we played in the second half. But to get a point is such a big point now.”
For Tottenham, Rice’s suspension could be a pivotal advantage. With the North London Derby approaching, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will likely look to take full advantage of Arsenal’s weakened midfield, especially as his team seeks to recover from a recent 2-1 loss to Newcastle United.
Rice’s absence could indeed be a decisive factor, potentially providing Spurs with the upper hand they need to claim a crucial victory in what is always one of the most intense fixtures of the season.
