It’s the second week of the new English Premier League season, and Arsenal are taking on Nottingham Forest, but Declan Rice is an unused substitute. It has drawn comments from fans and analysts alike, with some pointing to Rice’s burgeoning importance to the Gunners since his arrival. Here, we explore why he isn’t, what that means for Arsenal, and his recent performance and fitness.
Rice’s Recent Form and Significance to Arsenal
Declan Rice has been a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield since making his much-talked-about switch from West Ham United in July 2023. His ability to defend and his leadership qualities have significantly lifted the team. Declan Rice has been crucial in several significant games, not least in his debut against Manchester City in the 2023 FA Community Shield and his first-ever league goal for Arsenal against Manchester United in September 2023.
Fear of Injury Has Made Caution a Priority
Rice was carrying a toe problem for the run-up to the Nottingham Forest game, having injured it at a previous match against Newcastle United. He even went on to play the full 90 minutes of that match despite the injury, illustrating his determination and grit. But Arsenal’s medical team said the injury forced him to withdraw from the England squad for Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to reporters before the Nottingham Forest game, Mikel Arteta said fans should be careful not to overexert their excitement over the England star’s fitness. Arteta said Declan Rice had returned to training, but the decision to sit him was made to avoid worsening the injury. It is part of a more comprehensive approach that Arsenal are taking towards maximising player health with so many fixtures.
Fan Reactions and Speculations
Benching Rice and other regular starters — including Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli — caused mixed emotions among fans. It was the sort of returning performance that might draw concern over the team’s depth and preparation. Still, plenty of voices supported the careful approach, which can weigh more than most little more than a week into the season, given the need to keep players fit for the weeks to come. There were speculations about why Declan Rice and other players were benched on the social media pages, as everyone speculated about what difference these changes would make for Arsenal in the game.
How Arsenal Performed Without Rice
Without Rice, Arsenal’s midfield had entirely different dynamics. The team struggled to own possessions and tempo (two areas where Declan Rice usually shines). It was a 1-1 home draw against Nottingham Forest, with Arsenal’s midfield failing to impose itself on the game. The result drove home how integral Rice (and, more broadly, the whole squad) is and what a struggle Arsenal has when key figures are missing.
Coming Up: Rice To Recover; Arsenal To Plan
There are hopes that he will be back in a few weeks, although they are watching him closely and monitoring the likes of Havertz and Bukayo Saka. After the heated encounter, Arteta was hopeful that Rice would return and that Declan Rice may be available for upcoming fixtures, including the vital CL contest vs Sporting CP. The manager has stressed the importance of not rushing Rice back into action, making clear that the player’s long-term health remains paramount.
In the meantime, Arsenal must look for tactical changes to make up for Rice’s absence. This could mean handing more game time to other midfielders or changing formations to suit the squad’s current strengths and weaknesses. The coming weeks could be critical for Arteta not only in keeping his team on track without Rice, one of their star performers but also in making some crucial tactical decisions about how to fill the role left by Jesus.
