The three options to replace Rice for the NLD

 By 1970s Gooner 

So now the dust has settled after the pathetic red card dished out last Saturday let's look at what realistic options Arteta has for replacing Rice for the LND.

1. Jorginho adds his organisation and passing ability

If Jorginho comes in, it poses the issue as to where he will play. He is obviously at his best in the base of midfield but then Partey has to move to the number 8 on the left where he hasn't played before. He may however surprise us.

Their roles may be switched with Partey at the pivot and Jorginho on the left. And this looks the simplest option.

Another way of accommodating both is to play with a double pivot in central midfield and try and get the width from the left by allowing the left back to go forward. Calafiori maybe more suitable than Timber here but Arteta may be reluctant to start him in such a game.

2. Zinchenko adds his creativeness

An interesting option is to bring Zinchenko into his 'natural' position in midfield on the left and keep Partey as the pivot.

Zinchenko will definitely thrive in this position as he will be able to use his wonderful left foot to make those penetrative passes he is so capable of. Something which does not come as easily for Rice.

However he will have to be as active when the team is without the ball, something which Rice excels in!

Zinchenco will have cover ofcourse from the left back, probably Timber.

But you can never find the perfect midfielder can you? 

Merino perhaps?


3. Havertz moves into midfield

This option involves the most disruption as Havertz moves into the left midfield position which he has played before for Arsenal and Gabriel Jesus plays the number 9 role. If he is fit of course...

I would give this a low probality of happening as it means loosing your top player in that position, who is currently performing at his best and scoring goals.

Replacing him will be a player who is returning from injury and is not that prolific anyway.

Trossard on the other hand can play as a false 9 and it is conceivable the Arteta may go for this. 

Trossard has played there for Brighton and Arsenal before but again it involves disruption having to move your best number 9 away from his natural position.

There are other options like:

Trossard playing as the left sided midfielder (and Havertz staying where he is). But he has played there before for Arsenal without much success imo.

Or even Sterling coming in as a 9 but this is unlikely as he hasn't played much football yet and certainly not as a number 9 (although he has played in this position for Liverpool and Man City in the past).