Arteta defends Rice's 90 minutes after Arsenal's shaky 2-1 win
The manager cites a lighter schedule, while former players question whether the squad has enough depth to handle the European grind.
By Beatriz Soto ·
Arsenal fans are watching their midfield core closely after the team allowed Slavia Prague to narrow the gap in the final minutes of Wednesday's Champions League match. The Gunners held a 2-1 advantage for most of the second half in Prague, but the final stretch raised questions about the physical condition of their key players.
Declan Rice played every minute of the 90 against Slavia Prague. He had just finished a match against Liverpool the previous weekend. In the second half, his movement appeared slower, and the team's defensive structure began to drift.
Mikel Arteta addressed the concern directly after the final whistle. He stated that the match demanded Rice's full presence. Arteta noted that Rice had a comfortable performance against Fleetwood Town, which gave the midfielder a full week to rest before facing Liverpool and then Slavia Prague. The manager emphasized that this was only Rice's second match in seven days, not a fifth, and that the squad expects players to handle that workload.
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Karen Carney offered a different perspective from TNT Sports. She identified Rice as the best midfielder in the country. Carney argued that when Rice is fatigued, Arsenal plays a different game. She observed that Rice looked exhausted in the second half, which caused the team to lose its shape and focus.
Steve McManaman, who was also analyzing the match for TNT Sports, pointed to a lack of attacking depth. He noted that Arsenal often substitutes midfielders for forwards, forcing players like Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, and Martin Zubimendi to cover vast amounts of ground. McManaman suggested that even top players can lose focus in European competition when the squad is stretched thin.
The result secured three points for Arsenal following a difficult week. The team now prepares to face Hull City on the weekend. A win there would likely shift attention away from the defensive lapses seen in Prague.
