Declan Rice is a confirmed absentee for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League trip to Tottenham on September 15.
The England international was controversially sent off for two yellow cards during the Gunners’ 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.
Rice’s dismissal resulted in an automatic one-match ban and he will miss the key trip to north London with Jorginho set to step in as a substitute.
However, despite Rice’s return for the UEFA Champions League opener against Atalanta on September 19, and the Premier League trip to champions Manchester City three days later, things could get worse.
Rice is guaranteed to start away at the Etihad Stadium but as he picked up two bookings against Brighton he now has three so far this season.
Premier League rules state that five yellow cards in the first 19 games of a league season trigger a one-match ban, whether or not they include an in-match sending off.
A yellow card at City, and in Arsenal’s final game of the month at home to Leicester City on September 28, would mean Rice would miss the home game against Southampton on October 2.
Ten yellow cards by matchweek 32 results in a two-match ban, and 15 before matchday 38 means a three-match ban, with Rice having picked up five Premier League yellow cards in his first season at Arsenal in 2023/24.
