Gary Neville makes Declan Rice admission ahead of Arsenal's clash with Man City
Gary Neville has claimed Arsenal would have beaten Tottenham had Declan Rice played the full 90 minutes, but fears for the Gunners if he is out with an injury.
Rice started his first north London derby, but was withdrawn at half-time due to a fitness issue. The change left Arsenal with a glaring hole in their midfield that his replacement, Jorginho, struggled to fill. It was the Italy international who arguably cost the Gunners the game, with Jorginho's error leading to Spurs' second just moments after Mikel Arteta's men had gone in front.
After the game, the Arsenal boss was faced with plenty of questions regarding Rice, to which he explained: "Yeah he had some discomfort in his back and he was telling us during the first half he wasn’t comfortable and when we assessed him at half time he couldn’t continue."
Asked if Rice would be out of action for an extended period, Arteta added: "Hopefully not. We have to assess him because it’s strange that a player like him asks to come off because he wasn’t comfortable so hopefully not but let’s see."
Neville discussed Rice's early departure and suggested the Gunners could have taken all three points with him on the pitch. "Rice is a monster in there and I think they beat Spurs with him out there for the full 90 minutes," the Manchester United legend told Sky Sports.
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"He's that type of player who just drives Arsenal forward and those corners at the end, he'll get you something. He has that in him to will a team on and get that result."
However, Neville did also point out that if Rice is out injured for Arsenal's upcoming clash with Manchester City, that could prove quite the headache for Arteta. It could also be a missed opportunity to dominate the middle of the park given Pep Guardiola's men will be without Rodri through suspension.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Arsenal have beaten Spurs with Rice available for 90 minutes? Comment below
Declan Rice was taken off at half-time of the north London derby with an injury (Getty Images)"It will be interesting in two weeks' time without him [Rodri] to see whether Arsenal will also be without Declan Rice. The biggest problem for Arsenal is not dropping two points, it's if Saka and Rice have got four- or five-week injuries, because they are two very important players."
Arsenal meet City at the Emirates on Sunday, October 8. Before then, they have to travel to both Brentford and Bournemouth, the first of which is for the third round of the Carabao Cup.
It is almost certain that even if he were fit to play, Rice would not be risked for a League Cup ties against the Bees. Given City awaits them the weekend after, there is a chance Arteta wouldn't risk his £105million man away at Bournemouth either.
Arsenal's start to the new league season has been impressive enough, with the Gunners still unbeaten - however, they are actually now one point worse off than last season's tally at the same stage. A win against Bournemouth is essential to keep within touching distance of their title rivals.
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