Arteta faces nightmare as duo Rice and Merino at risk of Champions League ban

Why This Arsenal Team Shouldn’t Be Scared of the Champions League

When Arsenal plays Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice will have to tread carefully when it comes to discipline. On Wednesday night, the Belgian team will take on Mikel Arteta’s team at Jan Breydel Stadium as both teams try to get back on track.

The Gunners dropped three vital points in the hunt for the Premier League title after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa over the weekend. After losing at Villa Park and Manchester City’s victory against Sunderland, Arsenal only has a two-point lead at the top of the league, even though they might have gone eight points clear.

Club Brugge fell to third place in the Jupiler Pro League after losing on Saturday as well. Sint-Truidense V.V. overcame the 19-time Belgian champions and cut Royale Union Saint-Gilloise’s advantage in the hunt for the championship.

Given that Club Brugge fired Nicky Hayen on Monday afternoon, Arsenal, the only undefeated team in the Champions League this season, will undoubtedly feel optimistic about their chances. The Belgian team has nothing to lose in contrast to the Gunners.

Arsenal players are at risk of Champions League bans

Christian Nørgaard hasn’t played since playing the full ninety minutes against Slavia Prague in November. Like Nwaneri, Nørgaard’s inclusion in the starting lineup should allow him to demonstrate the abilities for which he was purchased while giving Declan Rice much-needed relief.

Rice, 26, played the remainder of Saturday’s intense game against Villa despite being injured in the 83rd minute against Brentford a few days prior. Rice, who had worked hard in previous games against Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham, was physically taxed in the last stages against both teams.

As Arsenal’s title bid faces its first setback, Rice has to maintain his health throughout the Christmas season in order to continue being Mikel Arteta’s team’s dynamic pulse. Arteta should take comfort in Nørgaard’s possession skills and experience, while Rice is still one booking away from suspension for the January trip to Milan.