Why is Declan Rice not playing against Tottenham? Arsenal star absent after being 'shocked' by controversy
Declan Rice will not feature in the first north London derby of the new Premier League season this weekend.
Arsenal They will be left without one of the key cogs in their system against their rivals. Tottenhamforcing them to reorganize the team.
His absence is huge and will have an impact. Mikel Arteta strongly with the Gunners boss now set to Experiment in the midfield.
But why is it? Rice Need to watch from home? talkSPORT.com is here to refresh your memory after the break…
Why isn't Rice playing against Tottenham?
Rice is suspended by Tottenham vs Arsenal on Sunday.
The England international received two yellow cards against Brighton, earning him a one-match suspension.
But his second warning provoked An incredible amount of controversy.
Rice was adjudged to have kicked the ball away from Joel Veltman and was shown a second yellow card by the referee for time-wasting.
He was in disbelief when the red card was issued and fans were furious at the sending off, as João Pedro avoided punishment for having done the same thing earlier in the match.
But later, Rice admitted that she broke the laws of the game, saying: “I was in shock. I think you could see it on my face that I was in shock.
“I didn't run towards him (Veltman) to hit the ball. I touched the ball with the outside of my foot.
“Look, this is the law of the game. If you touch the ball, even a little bit, it is obviously a red card after my foul in the first half, which I fully accept was 50-50 that I didn’t win.
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“It was tough, it was tough, but it’s one of those things. I have to move on.”
The decision was reviewed during the international break but the Key Match Incidents panel ruled it was correct.
The five-person KMI panel unanimously upheld the decision, 5-0, saying Rice's actions were “clear, deliberate and shocking” and that the second yellow card was legitimately awarded.
This means Arsenal will be without Rice for the derby and that will make matters worse with an ongoing injury crisis as well.
Captain Martin Odegaard It will also be lost afterwards suffer an ankle injury what it means Kai Havertz and Jorginho He could be brought into the Gunners' midfield.
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