Arsenal face key fitness concerns ahead of their Champions League clash with Club Brugge, where a win would all but book their place in the knockout stages
Arsenal have had a tough few weeks and they’ll be eager to bounce back when they face Club Brugge in the Champions League. Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa delivered a blow to their Premier League title ambitions and allowed Manchester City to cut the gap at the summit to just two points.
A stoppage-time winner from Emi Buendia handed Arsenal their third setback in five league outings – a spell that has seen them fall from comfortable title frontrunners to a team suddenly feeling the strain. The Gunners will get a chance to respond to the Villa setback when Unai Emery’s squad visits the Emirates Stadium later this month.
Before then, though, they must contend with a demanding run of fixtures: league clashes with Wolves, Everton and Brighton, plus a League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. First up, however, is a potentially awkward visit to Club Brugge.
Arsenal are strong favourites, but with several important players unavailable and others having barely trained beforehand, navigating Wednesday’s meeting could be more complicated than expected. With that in mind, here are the newest Arsenal-related headlines.
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Rice fitness worry
Declan Rice was notably missing from Tuesday’s open training session as Arsenal prepared for their trip to Belgium. The England international has taken part in all 22 of the Gunners’ games this campaign, but he is now doubtful for the upcoming tie.
It’s understood the 26-year-old was training inside alongside William Saliba and Leandro Trossard. Even so, Mikel Arteta is likely to be uneasy about Rice’s condition after an exhausting sequence of five matches in two weeks.
Arsenal hold a flawless record in this season’s Champions League and can virtually confirm progress to the knockout stage with a victory over Club Brugge. With limited jeopardy surrounding the match, it could also serve as a chance to give a crucial player like Rice a much-needed break.
Arteta’s nightmare scenario
Resting Rice might be the sensible choice, especially since the former West Ham star is just one yellow card away from a Champions League ban. He is not the only one – Mikel Merino is also a single booking from missing Arsenal’s next European match.
Both players will need to be cautious if they are selected to face Club Brugge, particularly given that Arsenal’s next opponents are Inter Milan at the San Siro. Rice and Merino have accumulated more appearances than any other Arsenal players this season and their influence is clear: Rice continues to boss games from midfield, while Merino has excelled as an improvised No. 9.
However, with each man walking a disciplinary tightrope, Arteta is confronted with something of a nightmare scenario. He must either drop two of his most vital players or risk losing them for the pivotal trip to Milan next month.
Arsenal target ‘next Ozil’
Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler, widely regarded as the “next Mesut Ozil.” The gifted Turkish playmaker has rapidly risen to prominence as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects and, despite receiving regular minutes under Xabi Alonso this season, continues to be linked with a possible exit from the Bernabeu.
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are among several top clubs keeping a close eye on developments, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United said to be interested as well. Guler is expected to cost more than £80million, with Real Madrid understandably unwilling to let such a valuable talent leave.
The Gunners already have considerable depth in midfield, but after successfully luring the real Mesut Ozil from Madrid for a major fee back in 2013, they may be tempted to repeat history with his much-discussed successor.
