Arsenal have 'world-class' Declan Rice and Merino replacement as duo miss Tottenham clash

Arsenal are heading into the North London derby short of midfield options following Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton. Rice will not face Tottenham after being sent off for the first time in his career, with the Gunners unable to appeal against the two yellow cards he received on Sunday.

In a further blow to Mikel Arteta, new signing Mikel Merino is expected to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session after joining from Real Sociedad. It is expected that the Spaniard will miss the North London derby, which will take place on September 15 after the international break.

Arteta will need to find a solution to the left-sided No 8 position in his Arsenal team. Rice has played there for much of his time at the club. The departures of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira leave a gaping hole, though.

So the ability to re-enter the transfer market for free agents could come in handy for Arsenal. Deals can still be struck if a player has been without a club since before the deadline on August 30.

Former Manchester United target Adrien Rabiot could be an excellent addition, solving Arsenal’s lack of depth in midfield and adding experience to a young squad. His physicality fits the profile of player Arteta has targeted this year.

Rabiot left Juventus at the end of last season and, surprisingly, remains without a club. Only last year, the France international was being linked with a switch to Man Utd for the second summer in a row.

While some may have doubts over Rabiot’s suitability to play for Arsenal, former France striker David Trezeguet has no doubts about the 29-year-old’s quality. He described him as ‘world-class’ when United were linked with a move in 2022.

“We are talking about a problem for Juventus, because in Italy he may have been targeted for criticism, but in France it’s completely different,” Trezeguet said at the time.

“He is world-class, an extraordinary player. Now he will evaluate his options and will go back to being the important player he always was.”

Arsenal had reportedly wanted further depth in midfield before the window closed but prioritised a move for Raheem Sterling. Rabiot would therefore remain an important squad player for the remainder of the campaign, with Arteta’s side set to compete in four competitions.