Man of the match.
Best.
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Sorry guys. I inflamed Rices perineum.
I couldn’t help it. His hair looked so fine.
It’s quite a blow if he’s out for Villa. We need him the most precisely for these tough, big, physical games, as I expect it to be there.
Merino probably takes his spot if he’s out. Hopefully not, but I’m sure we won’t risk anything if there’s any little risk to him playing.
Have to say it’s annoying he wasn’t subbed off earlier.
We played 3 very tough games in under 7 days before this, and he played a big role in all 3 of those. I was thinking he was one of the players who could have used some rotation before this game, knowing how intesively he plays usually.
Can’t say I’m happy with Arteta keeping him on the pitch until he broke.
Was definitely one of the players who could have used a little breather and now he’ll most likely get one in a game where you definitely don’t want to see him rested.
Would be very typical of us to lose another big player for a big game. Has happened like clockwork in the last few big games if memory serves me right.
I think we’ll be OK with a Zubi, Ode, Merino midfield and Gyok up top. Hopefully Saka and Eze on the wings. I’d rather have Rice as an option but to me getting Saliba back for this Villa match is far more important.
This is really a knock on effect of losing all three strikers at the same time. Merino is supposed to be Rice’s backup but he was called into service up top for the last month.
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Bigdickulous football player.
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Arteta giving the whole “we don’t know, we have to check” gimmick and Rice gives it away to that uakari Cotterril.
Indispensable and irreplaceable.. while there may be talk about Saka, Saliba,Timber etc as big blows.. I don’t see any bigger blow than him right now.
Hope he is rested next week for UCL and Wolves game
Strikes me as a proper old school player who won’t let a little knock or a niggle stop him from playing.
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The type that also needs to be protected from himself. Dont want another white/havertz situation.
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That’s my worry with him too feel like he’s the type to never say no to playing and he has such a high energy style that it could really wear him down and lead to a proper physical breakdown.
Hopefully we can give him some rest against Brugge and Wolves. Maybe he plays the first half against Brugge and on the bench for Wolves.
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White especially, “took one for the team”. We were short of bodies and he played through injury (likely to his own detriment). I like to think with the squad we have now, it would have been different and he would have got the treatment he needed.
Don’t really care what he says, or what his whoop or fit bit says, you can see he needs a rest.
Absolute dream scenario for me is that he’s on the bench for Aston Villa and we win anyway. But if we need him for the 3 points, and he is fit enough to start, then his rest needs to wait.
I think we should definitely rest him against Club Brugge and Wolves.
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I think we can safely put the Cuntceido vs Rice debate to bed now 
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