Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Martin Keown urges Arsenal players to step up in absence of Declan Rice for Spurs match

Martin Keown makes demand of Arsenal players as Declan Rice misses Spurs game


Martin Keown has called on Jorginho and Arsenal’s other squad players to fill the void left by Declan Rice in this weekend’s North London derby.

The Gunners are preparing to face their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur away from home on Sunday.

However, they must do so without key midfielder Rice, who was controversially sent off in the 1-1 draw against Brighton prior to the international break.

Italy international Jorginho is expected to start in Rice’s place despite being an unused substitute in all three of Arsenal’s Premier League games so far this season.

Jorginho has proven himself an excellent back-up to Rice in the past. However, Keown believes it can’t just be him who ups his game against Spurs, with Mikel Arteta needing big performances from other Arsenal squad members.

Keown outlines how Arsenal can cope with Declan Rice vs Spurs


Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England.

Jorginho has to come into that position and he has plenty of experience but it can’t just be one player,” Keown told talkSPORT.

“Back in the day there were many times when we were without the likes of Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, it didn’t matter.

“Players came in – Edu came in, or Kanu came in.

“You’ve got to have a squad who are strong enough and this is where the question mark will be with Arsenal because they’ve let a lot of good young players go and they had to do that to balance the books.

“It’s whether the squad is strong enough.”