Mikel Arteta has two weeks to figure out how to handle Declan Rice’s suspension.
The Englishman was shown a red card by Chris Kavanagh during the 1-1 draw at home with Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
Rice’s dismissal for receiving a second yellow card for blocking the play followed an unusual incident involving Brighton’s Joel Veltman.
The 25-year-old’s suspension will see him ruled out for one game but, with him set to miss the North London Derby against bitter rivals Spurs, the midfielder’s dismissal could not have come at a bad time for Arteta.
The Spanish manager has been forced to consider changing his plan to cope with Rice’s absence.
Raheem Sterling is set to make his North London Derby debut
Raheem Sterling is in line to make his debut following his Deadline Day loan move from Chelsea but the controversial midfielder could be starting his Arsenal career in an unfamiliar place.
According to a recent report from GiveMeSport, when the international break ends, Arteta may start Sterling as a False 9 with Kai Havertz returning to the center of the field.
The German’s versatility allows him to play in a number of positions and the midfielder has become accustomed to playing there more in his first season at the Emirates.
If Havertz goes to the center of the field, the German will play behind Martin Odegaard and alongside Jorginho or Thomas Partey and Sterling asked to lead the line with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on either side.
The North London Derby, which will be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is set to kick off at 2pm (UK time) on 15 September and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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