Arsenal are preparing to face Slavia Praha in the Champions League and have a suspension concern ahead of a clash against Bayern Munich
15:47, 03 Nov 2025
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal will be wary of being handed potentially a major blow ahead of a crucial match in the Champions League.
The Gunners will take on Slavia Praha in their fourth league phase fixture in the competition on Tuesday night as they look to maintain their 100 percent start.
Mikel Arteta's side have won all three of their opening matches in the Champions League this season, all without conceding a single goal, with victories against Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Athletic Club.
The fixture against Slavia Praha will be Arsenal's last European match before the November international break, but the Gunners will be mindful of a potential suspension concern.
Declan Rice has already received two yellow cards in the Champions League this season, which came in the wins over Olympiacos and Athletic Club, and another would see the England international handed a one-match suspension.
If Rice were to pick up a booking during the clash against Slavia Praha, he would then miss Arsenal's next Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on November 26 at the Emirates Stadium.
Declan Rice has two yellow cards in the Champions League this season
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Declan Rice has two yellow cards in the Champions League this season(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Arsenal will have one player on the sidelines through suspension for the trip to Prague, with Martin Zubimendi ruled out for one match after picking a yellow card in each of the opening three league phase matches.
UEFA rules state that players who pick up three yellow cards during the league phase of the competition, as well as the play-offs, will receive an automatic one-game suspension.
Yellow cards will then reset after the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, with players only being able to miss the final if they receive a red card in the semi-final.
Rice is the only Arsenal player in immediate danger of being handed a suspension, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Noni Madueke the only players on one booking so far in the Champions League.
Arsenal could also be without Viktor Gyokeres for the clash against Sparta Praha, with the striker not involved in the club's open training session on Monday.
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The Gunners already have Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines with their respective injuries and are not expected to return for the trip to Prague.
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