Arsenal face Champions League suspension risk as Mikel Arteta handed dilemma

Arsenal will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the Champions League when they take on Slavia Praha on Tuesday night, but will be wary of a potential suspension concern

Arsenal will be on high alert for a potential setback ahead of their pivotal Champions League match on the horizon. The Gunners are set to face Slavia Praha in their fourth league phase fixture in the competition on Tuesday night, aiming to maintain their winning streak.

Mikel Arteta’s squad have triumphed in all three of their matches in the Champions League this season, not conceding a single goal, with victories against Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Athletic Club.

The match against Slavia Praha will be Arsenal’s final European game before the November international break, but the Gunners are wary of a possible suspension issue.

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Declan Rice has already been shown two yellow cards in the Champions League this season, which came in the wins over Olympiacos and Athletic Club, and another would result in the England international being handed a one-match ban, reports football.london.

If Rice were to receive a booking during the showdown with Slavia Praha, he would then be absent from Arsenal’s next Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich on November 26 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal will have one player benched through suspension for the journey to Prague, with Martin Zubimendi sidelined for one match after receiving a yellow card in each of the opening three league phase matches.

UEFA regulations stipulate that players who accumulate three yellow cards during the league phase of the competition, as well as the play-offs, will be hit with an automatic one-game ban.

Yellow cards will be reset after the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, meaning players can only miss the final if they receive a red card in the semi-final.

Rice is the only Arsenal player at immediate risk of suspension, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Noni Madueke being the only players on one booking so far in the Champions League for the Gunners.

Arsenal may also have to play without Viktor Gyokeres in Prague, as the striker was absent from Monday’s open training session. Arteta will be expected to provide an update on the Sweden international’s fitness when he speaks to the media.

The Gunners are already missing Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus due to injuries, and they’re not expected to return for the clash against Slavia Praha.

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