Declan Rice's Miraculous Recovery: Arsenal Midfielder Set to Outshine Manchester City Despite Injury Scare

Declan Rice escaped a major injury and might be eligible to play in Arsenal's upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday. Following his early exit at half-time during the north London derby on Sunday due to back discomfort, Rice underwent assessments on Monday.

The scans have indicated that the issue is not significant, although the midfielder still experiences discomfort and is unlikely to participate in the Carabao Cup match against Brentford on Wednesday.

Rice and Leandro Trossard, who was absent from the draw against Tottenham due to a minor muscle problem, will both be evaluated throughout the week leading up to the trip to Bournemouth.

Rice is expected to recover in time for Arsenal's match against Manchester City on Sunday October 8, which will be live-streamed on We. However, Rodri will be unavailable for the champions as he received a red card in their victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Mikel Arteta will hold a press conference before their journey to Brentford. He is anticipated to provide updates on the fitness of Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey. Unfortunately, Jurrien Timber will remain absent for a significant period due to a severe knee injury.

Following the draw against Spurs, where Jorginho, Rice's substitute, made a mistake leading to one of the visitors' goals, Arteta expressed his thoughts on the summer signing, stating, "He suffered from a back injury and experienced significant discomfort throughout the match. We were left with no choice but to take him off. His substitution is unusual considering his capabilities."

Merson Says: Arsenal may need to get Toney in January

From the very beginning, I have consistently stated that Eddie Nketiah alone cannot secure a Premier League victory for you. A proficient center forward is necessary. I am not criticizing Nketiah solely for the 2-2 draw against Tottenham, but considering the 32 remaining games and the upcoming Champions League matches, I doubt he can elevate the team to the next level. Even Gabriel Jesus, in my opinion, would not be able to achieve that.

I had a lot of confidence in Arsenal's victory on Sunday, but upon seeing the team lineup, my worries grew significantly. Having Jesus on the wing, Nketiah leading the attack, and Fabio Vieira, who I doubted was up to par, left me concerned. And to add to that, when Declan Rice was substituted with Jorginho, it intensified my apprehension.

Considering the upcoming Champions League matches and the extensive number of games they have to play, Arsenal's team on Sunday appeared rather weak, don't you think?

Who is available as a center forward for them in January? Ivan Toney is the sole option as there is a scarcity of center forwards globally. They are becoming increasingly rare.

Michael Owen recently discussed the evolving criteria for earning England caps in football. In the past, prolific strikers like Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Fowler, Ian Wright, and Les Ferdinand would consistently score 20 to 30 goals per season, yet their England caps were not as numerous. However, nowadays, reaching the 20-goal mark in the Premier League is often considered a prerequisite for selection to the national team. Toney, who exhibits commendable skills such as ball retention and aerial ability, could be a suitable choice for Arsenal, considering the limited availability of top-quality center-forwards in the market.

If Arsenal loses to Manchester City on October 8, they will be eliminated from the title race, falling seven points behind. Many argue that there are still numerous games remaining, but even with 600 games left, Arsenal would not be able to catch up to City's seven-point lead. This is because Arsenal has only one game left against City, and it would be an away match.

That game at the Emirates is a huge match, it's make or break already.