'Utter nonsense': Gary Lineker hits out at what he is hearing about Arsenal and Declan Rice

During these past few weeks, Arsenal and Declan Rice have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.

After Mikel Arteta’s side won their opening two Premier League matches, including a statement win at Villa Park, no luck has gone the way of the title chasers since.

Starting from Arsenal‘s drama-filled draw against Brighton, where Declan Rice was sent off to Martin Odegaard suffering an injury on international duty.

What makes matters worse is that Arsenal’s games in these coming weeks could break them because it’s the small matter of the north London derby, the return of the Champions League and Manchester City away.

As things stand, they could be without their skipper because the manner in which he hobbled off for Norway was rather worrying.

Fans will have to wait patiently for news on Odegaard, but one thing is for sure, Rice will be suspended for the Tottenham match.

Arsenal supporters are still angry about that and now salt has been rubbed into their wounds after the Key Match Incidents panel delivered their verdict on that call.

They claim that on-field referee Chris Kavanagh made the right choice to send off Rice because his actions were ‘clear’ and ‘impactful’.

When Gary Lineker heard the news on Twitter, he was quick to laugh and hit out at that call with a quite blunt response.

Declan Rice sending off

‘(Declan Rice’s actions were) clear, deliberate and impactful. Rice knows what he is doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice’.

Lineker responded: ‘Utter nonsense’, added with several laughing emojis.

Arsenal’s midfield against Tottenham

As things stand, Arsenal will be without two first-team midfielders against Spurs and now that will test the team’s mindset.

Manchester City and Liverpool have made 100% starts, so if the Gunners drop more points, then it will put them right on the back foot and it isn’t even October yet.

But this is why they have a squad and this is how you become champions. If they see through this period, then it will set them off for the rest of the year.

Raheem Sterling could make his Arsenal debut, so that is a much-needed boost for the team amid their midfield worries.