Arsenal's Declan Rice Sidelined: The Real Reason Behind His Absence Against Kairat
Arsenal welcome Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night as they look to complete an outstanding 2025–26 Champions League league phase run, though they must do so without dynamic midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice has been crucial to Arsenal reaching the final matchday of the league phase as the sole team maintaining an unblemished record across seven matches. The England star has appeared in all Champions League fixtures this season except one and serves as the cornerstone of Mikel Arteta's championship-chasing squad.
Unless something unexpected occurs, Arsenal will secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16 as league phase leaders. Earning just one point against Kairat would guarantee this achievement, though the Gunners aim to become the first club to complete the league phase with a flawless record in this format's two-year existence.
Arsenal will attempt to reach this historic milestone without one of the world's premier midfielders. But what's behind Rice's absence from the league phase conclusion?
Why Is Declan Rice Not Playing Against Kairat?
Why Is Declan Rice Not Playing Against Kairat?
Rice will be absent against Kairat on Wednesday due to a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards.
The 27-year-old midfielder entered as a substitute for 26 minutes during Arsenal's 3–1 victory over Inter Milan last week. Despite the match being effectively decided, Rice received a booking in added time for intentionally halting a possible Inter counter-attack.
Earlier, Rice had also collected yellow cards during Arsenal's victories against Athletic Club and Olympiacos at the beginning of their Champions League journey.
Arteta must find a substitute for his versatile key player, but he cannot rely on another midfielder who will also be watching from the sidelines alongside Rice.
Arteta Forced Into Makeshift Midfield vs. Kairat
Arteta Forced Into Makeshift Midfield vs. Kairat
Similar to Rice, teammate Mikel Merino is also banned from Arsenal's league phase finale due to yellow card accumulation.
Some observers have speculated that both players may have deliberately earned bookings against Inter, ensuring they miss a relatively inconsequential league phase finale instead of a crucial knockout stage match.
These suspensions leave Arteta with limited midfield choices. While the Spanish manager will probably rotate his squad, either Martin Ødegaard or Martín Zubimendi will need to start the match.
Christian Nørgaard is anticipated to make his seventh Arsenal start, while summer signing Eberechi Eze is also set to join the starting eleven for just the third time in the Gunners' previous 10 matches.
When Will Declan Rice Return for Arsenal?
When Will Declan Rice Return for Arsenal?
Arsenal supporters shouldn't be concerned as Rice will probably be among the first players selected in Arteta's starting eleven for Saturday's away match against Leeds United, as they seek to revive their Premier League title ambitions.
After completing his one-match suspension against Kairat, Rice will also have his disciplinary record cleared when Arsenal commence their Champions League knockout phase campaign. Having already bypassed the playoff round, Rice and Arsenal will begin their pursuit of their first Champions League trophy in the round of 16, scheduled to commence on March 10–11.