Mikel Arteta explains new Declan Rice plan after eye-catching Arsenal omissions

Mikel Arteta has explained the reasoning behind Declan Rice's decreasing game time.

Rice played all 90 minutes in all but seven of Arsenal's opening 20 games in the Premier League and Champions League. But since the draw at Fulham on 8 December, the midfielder has found himself regularly subbed off.

He played 64 minutes of the win over Monaco, was then taken off after 62 minutes in the draw with Everton and was replaced after 87 minutes against Ipswich. On top of that, he was on the bench for the hammering of Crystal Palace, playing the final 32 minutes.

He then only played the final 12 minutes in the New Year's Day win over Brentford. But rather than the Englishman falling out of favour, Arteta has insisted he has been forced to manage the 25-year-old's minutes.

“In his case especially, he plays so much football,” he said. “We have nine games in this period this month and he had some niggles in the last few games. He had to come off and we have to manage every player and there are no exceptions.”

Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table and will likely qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Rice is certain to be a key player for Arteta over the second half of the campaign, with the Gunners fighting on four fronts.

They will play the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle next week before the FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United a week on Sunday. In the summer, Arteta boosted his midfield options with the signing of Mikel Merino.

Arteta has revealed he has been forced to protect Rice from injury amid his heavy work load 

But the Spaniard has started just 10 games in all competitions, with Rice doing the heavy lifting. But with Merino close to full fitness, Arteta is set to hand him more opportunities.

"We expected a very fast integration because he’s played in the league, he’s such an intelligent and experienced player and he fits very well," the Arsenal boss said when asked about Merino's status.

"He had an injury and another little niggle and he had no pre-season because he played for Spain as well and it took him just a while to start to get set, but now you can see the impact he has in the team, his intelligence and the goal threat that he offers to the team.

"Then, more and more will come because he’s a natural leader as well. As he grows in the role, I think we’ll see much more from him."

Kai Havertz will come back into the squad for Saturday's clash with Brighton after overcoming an illness. But Jurrien Timber is suspended for the match having accrued five yellow cards.