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

“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.”

The post Martin Keown makes demand of Arsenal players as Declan Rice misses Spurs game appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Declan Rice has explained why he didn’t celebrate after he opened the scoring for England in their victory against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

The Arsenal star along with Jack Grealish received a hostile reception given the pair had represented the country in the past, with Rice featuring in three friendlies at senior level and Grealish playing up until the under-21’s before switching allegiances.

As is so often the way with football it has a way of writing it’s own scripts with both Rice and Grealish getting on the scoresheet as England cruised to a 2-0 victory.

Rice reveals why he didn’t celebrate

Since turning down the chance to play for the Republic of Ireland, Rice has gone on to feature in multiple tournaments for the Three Lions, including agonising defeats in the final of the last two European Championships

Back on familiar ground it didn’t take the Arsenal man long to open the scoring as he tucked away a first time finish from inside box after 11 minutes, before setting up Grealish for the second with 26 minutes on the clock.

Rice perhaps surprising to many chose not to celebrate and instead held his hands up in an almost apologetic way as his team-mates celebrated around him.

Speaking after the game the 25-year-old revealed that he wasn’t ever going to celebrate and explained why.

“Obviously it was an amazing feeling to score, but I was never going to celebrate,” he told beIN Sports.

“I have Irish family. My nan and grandad, who are not here anymore, I think it would have been disrespectful to them if I celebrated. My dad was here as well.

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“Obviously to score, it was a nice feeling but then I wanted to focus on getting back in the game and try to score more goals.”

Every touch the pair had was greeted with loud boos, but ultimately they had the last laugh and next  up for England is a game against Finland on Tuesday before the Premier League returns next weekend.

The post Declan Rice opens up on emotional reason he didn’t celebrate his goal against the Republic of Ireland appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal star Declan Rice has stated that he has “taken another step” towards feeling like himself after putting in a world-class display against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. 

The midfielder stepped into a hostile atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and put in a Man of the Match display as England claimed all three points with a 2-0 win.

The Arsenal star ran the show as he opened the scoring in the first half before assisting Jack Grealish minutes later. In the aftermath of the victory, Rice stated that he feels back to his best as he hinted that he has not been fully fit during the opening part of the Premier League season.

Read More: Declan Rice silences Ireland fans by smashing England in front

“To be honest with you, I’ve not been feeling 100 per cent fit so far,” the Gunners star told Sky Sports. “I’ve kind of been using the Premier League as my pre-season but today I feel I took a real step, I could feel it within myself.

“I was feeling back to myself, feeling springy, feeling like I could run around the pitch, feeling more powerful.

“On a personal note, it was really good to get that game in today and play 90, because I feel like I’ve taken another step and that is going to help me at Arsenal.”

These words should excite Arsenal fans as Rice is a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s squad and the midfielder performing at his best will go a long way in helping the North London club to try and win the Premier League this season.

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Watch: Arsenal star Declan Rice is feeling like himself again

?? "I was feeling back to myself"

Declan Rice reacts after scoring for England in their 2-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland ??????? pic.twitter.com/5cJhXSgkhk

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 7, 2024

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Jack Grealish admitted there’s no bad blood on his side after both he and Declan Rice received a hostile reception against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

Grealish was back in an England shirt for the first time after being left out of the squad for Euro 2024 and he thrived in the number ten role interim manager Lee Carsley played him in.

The Manchester City man and Rice both got hostile receptions on their return to Ireland with the Arsenal star having earned three caps for the country before switching allegiance, whilst Grealish represented the country up until under-21 level before switching allegiances.

Grealish on reception and tough summer

It was a hostile crowd that greeted England and particularly Rice and Grealish, with one rather unsavoury sign targetting the pair spotted in the crowd.

However, as is so often the case with football it has a way of writing it’s own scripts, with Rice opening the scoring and then not celebrating before he teed up Grealish who doubled England’s lead and didn’t think twice about celebrating.

It was a good performance from England who played some nice free flowing attacking football, even if they did drop off in the second half.

Speaking after the game Grealish admitted he expected the reception and that he enjoyed his time playing for the Republic of Ireland.

“It was what me and Declan expected. We have nothing bad to say, we both enjoyed our time [playing for Ireland] – I certainly did and I have a lot of Irish in my family, so there’s no bad blood whatsoever from my side,” he told ITV Sport.

Grealish was more open when talking about his return to the England side and described this summer as one of the worst of his life.

“Going to the fans at the end and hearing them sing my name, listen there’s no better feeling than playing for England, everyone will say the same thing, especially in games like this when you know the whole nation is going to be watching,” he added.

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“Over the summer, it was one of the worst summers of my life because you can’t not see everything that is happening in front of you. It was difficult but it’s given me something to bounce back.”

Next up for England is a game against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday evening before the Premier League returns next weekend.

The post Jack Grealish reacts to reception from Irish fans as England cruise to victory appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ireland’s clash with England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin is turning into a nightmare for the home fans as the villains of the day Jack Grealish and Declan Rice have both got on the scoresheet in the UEFA Nations League clash. 

The two England stars used to represent Ireland at youth level, with the Arsenal star also featuring in several senior games, before switching their allegiances to England. This did not go down well with Irish fans and they have made their feelings clear throughout Saturday’s match with both players being met with a course of boos.

Ireland fans’ worst nightmare has become reality inside the opening 26 minutes of the game as both Rice and Grealish have got on the scoresheet.

The Arsenal star opened the scoring after 11 minutes and 15 minutes later, the midfielder combined with Grealish to double the Three Lions’ lead as part of an impressive move.

Read more: Declan Rice silences Ireland fans by smashing England in front

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Watch: Man City’s Jack Grealish completes impressive England move with tidy finish

You couldn't write this…

Declan Rice finds Jack Grealish who scores for England against the Republic of Ireland ?????????#IREvENG pic.twitter.com/6nRvwuxMfX

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024

?? 0-2 ??????? ??????
Shades of what might have been for Ireland as Rice sets up Grealish to cap a superb team move for England's second. A mountain to climb already.
? Listen on @RTERadio1
? Updates https://t.co/60WFzwTZQB#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/xG3kjWpu1B

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 7, 2024

The post Video: Nightmare for Ireland fans as villains Rice and Grealish combine to double England’s lead appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Declan Rice has given England the lead in their UEFA Nations League clash with Ireland and it is a goal the Arsenal star would have enjoyed having been booed by the Irish fans throughout the opening part of the match. 

The midfielder was expected to be targetted by the home fans throughout the clash in Dublin as the 25-year-old used to represent Ireland before switching allegiances to England. This didn’t go down well with Irish fans at the time and they have shown in Dublin on Saturday that they have not forgiven the Premier League star.

Their worst fear became reality after 11 minutes as Rice opened the scoring in the match by smashing a loose ball into the Irish net.

Despite the booing, Rice refused to celebrate the goal in front of the Irish fans.

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Watch: England’s Declan Rice smashes the ball into Irish net

On his return to the Aviva Stadium, Declan Rice fires @England ahead with a thumping strike ?

Watch #IREvENG on @ITV pic.twitter.com/yoBbQiDITC

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024

?? 0-1 ??????? ??????
Chance for Ireland but England go straight down the other end and score, eventually, through Declan Rice, who doesn't celebrate
? Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
? Listen on @RTERadio1
? Updates https://t.co/60WFzwUxG9#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/Hct09qGfwE

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 7, 2024

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Old rivals go head-to-head in Dublin on Saturday afternoon as Ireland host England in their UEFA Nations League opener with the Three Lions looking to bounce back from their Euro 2024 disappointment. 

England are in action for the first time since their defeat to Spain in Berlin and a lot has changed since then. The biggest is the departure of Gareth Southgate, who left his role as manager following the Euros and has passed the baton on to Lee Carsley.

The former Ireland international is taking charge of the Three Lions temporarily and it is ironic that his first game comes against the nation he used to represent.

The 50-year-old has selected the following starting 11 for his first game in charge: Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Guehi, Colwill, Mainoo, Rice, Gordon, Grealish, Saka and Kane.

Carsley has decided to start both Rice and Grealish, who are expected to be met with a hostile atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium having represented Ireland at youth levels before switching their allegiances to England.

England starting 11

Your #ThreeLions in Dublin! ? pic.twitter.com/uZOhJuEbPv

— England (@England) September 7, 2024

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As for the Republic of Ireland, there is also a new man in the dugout. Heimir Hallgrimsson is taking charge of the Irish national team for the first time having replaced interim boss John O’Shea this summer.

The Icelandic coach has a tough job on his hands as he tries to improve the results of the current Irish team.

The nation has not qualified for any of the most recent major tournaments and with a young group of players available to him, the 57-year-old will try to change that. However, the UEFA Nations League is a competition Ireland have to deal with first and they would love to start Hallgrimsson’s reign off with a win over their oldest rivals.

The former Iceland coach has picked the following team to face England: Kelleher, Coleman, O’Shea, Collins, Doherty, Ogbene, Smallbone, Molumby, Brady, Szmodics and Idah.

Ireland starting 11

STARTING XI | Ireland v England

Jayson Molumby makes his first international start since November 2023 whilst Chiedozie Ogbene returns to the starting line-up after his injury ?

Kick-off is at 5pm, not long to wait now! ??? pic.twitter.com/HfZdrw0AZ3

— Ireland Football ???? (@IrelandFootball) September 7, 2024

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England captain Harry Kane expects England duo Jack Grealish and Declan Rice to receive “some stick” from the Republic of Ireland fans during their UEFA Nations League clash on Saturday in Dublin. 

The old rivals will go head-to-head in Group 2 of League B following the Three Lions’ relegation last time around.

England are back in action for the first time since their defeat in the final of Euro 2024 with Lee Carsley taking charge of the team following the departure of Gareth Southgate this summer. These storylines will not be the only ones focussed on heading into the Ireland match as Jack Grealish and Declan Rice will get some attention.

The England duo represented Ireland in the past at youth levels, while the Arsenal star also made senior appearances before deciding to change his allegiance to England.

Both players’ decisions did not go down well with Irish fans, especially Rice’s, given that the Ireland national team gave them a chance to develop on the international stage throughout their youth careers.

The duo will be met with a hostile atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and England captain Harry Kane also expects this to be the case.

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Harry Kane expects Jack Grealish and Declan Rice to receive “some stick” from Ireland fans

Speaking to the press ahead of England’s clash with Ireland on Saturday, Kane was asked about the atmosphere he expects Grealish and Rice to be met with in Dublin.

“It’ll be a hostile atmosphere. Everyone has different career paths, everyone has decisions to make on their journey to be the best they can be and that’s what Declan and Jack have done,” the Bayern Munich star said via the Irish Independent.

“There might be some stick but that’s part and parcel of football, club and international level. Ultimately, they made decisions they thought was best for their careers. You can’t say a bad word to them for doing that.”

It is almost guaranteed that the England duo will receive some sort of abuse on Saturday when they travel to the Aviva Stadium, but only time will tell to what extent, as the two rival nations prepare for a crucial showdown in Dublin.

England captain Harry Kane expects Declan Rice and Jack Grealish "to get some stick" at the Aviva Stadium but added that "they ultimately made decisions that were best for them in their careers" #IRLENG #COYBIG #rtesoccer #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/PVpSIWQabq

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 6, 2024

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This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

—

Simple reason why Eze stayed at Crystal Palace

I want to clear up any confusion regarding Eberechi Eze, guys, as the England international didn’t leave Crystal Palace this summer.

There was a release clause in his contract with the Eagles, so the situation this summer was never about whether the club would have accepted or declined offers for Eze or not.

If any club had come in and paid the release clause, there was nothing Palace could’ve done about it and the decision to move would’ve rested with Eze himself.

No club did trigger the release clause and there were no concrete contacts so in the end, that was the reason he remained at Selhurst Park.

Man City for sure had him on their list in 2023, and it’s true that Tottenham appreciate him, but there was never any formal bid presented from either club or any other this summer.

As Steve Parish said, everything was quiet.

Time for Fabio Vieira to return to playing regular football

The situation with Fabio Vieira is also a simple one to understand.

Firstly, it’s time for him to return to playing regular football every week, which is the expectation with the loan to Porto, and something he hasn’t been able to achieve to this point with Arsenal.

The loan deal will also allow Arsenal to monitor his progress over the course of the 2024/25 season and then assess things again in 2025.

At that point there will need to be a conversation between Mikel Arteta, the player and his representatives.

By then, the attacking midfielder will be 25 years of age and a definitive decision about his career one way or the other will need to be made.

I can guarantee that no plans are in place at the moment and no final decision has been made for Fabio Vieira.

This is why the move is a straight loan.

Nothing concrete to report on Angel Gomes’ situation

Many clubs are following and scouting Angel Gomes, but in this moment there’s nothing concrete or specific to report.

Any ‘interest’ mentioned now would be guesswork and as you know guys, I don’t work in this way.

It’s just normal monitoring of a very good player, who has just made the England squad after impressing at Lille.

England coach, Lee Carsley, has clearly seen something that he likes, and with fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland coming up in the next few days, it does offer Gomes the perfect opportunity to be able to show how much he’s improved of late.

At 24, the former Manchester United player looks to be on the verge of a special moment in his career.

No Messi or Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or nominee list

The full list of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees have now been released, and it’s the first time since 2003 that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not in the final 30 names.

It’s almost the end of a spectacular era for the game but both players will be remembered forever. As much for the joy they’ve brought to so many fans as well as the multiple awards that each have won.

I won’t comment on my favourite candidate for this year’s award, but in general I think it was a fair list.

It’s almost an impossible job to narrow down the names and I’d have probably added Rodrygo, Xavi Simons and Frimpong. Rodrygo has even gone on social media already to show his feelings about his omission.

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There are some big names in the final 30:

Jude Bellingham, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Federico Valverde, Emiliano Martinez, Erling Haaland, Nico Williams, Granit Xhaka, Artem Dovbyk, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Jr., Dani Olmo, Florian Wirtz, Martin Ødegaard, Mats Hummels, Rodri, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Cole Palmer, Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Hakan Calhanoglu, William Saliba, Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Ademola Lookman, Toni Rudiger and Alejandro Grimaldo.

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Manchester City and Arsenal stars Jack Grealish and Declan Rice have been warned about the ‘fiery’ reception they can expect when facing the Republic of Ireland this weekend.

The duo are part of the England squad that will travel to Dublin to begin their UEFA Nations League B Group 2 campaign.

Of course, Grealish and Rice are controversial figures in Irish football given the former represented the Boys in Green from U17 to U21 level, while the latter even made three senior appearances in friendlies back in 2018, before both switched allegiances to England.

Arsenal midfielder Rice was an unused substitute the last time England played Ireland in 2020, while Man City forward Grealish started that match. However, this is the first time either player will face the nation away from home.

Grealish and Rice warned about hostile Irish crowd

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Given has warned both players they’re in for a hostile reception at the Aviva Stadium. The same also goes for England interim boss Lee Carsley, who earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland during his playing days.

“Lee won’t be expecting anything else other than a volatile reception with his team because it’s our biggest rival,” Given told The Sun.

“It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, that’s for sure. It’s crazy how the stars have aligned that his first game is Ireland away.

“I don’t imagine Lee will be doing a lap of honour after the game! He knows what he’s walking into.

“Rice and Grealish are two brilliant players who were both wearing the green of Ireland at one point.

“I’m sure they’ll be in for a bit of a reception as well.”

Given played alongside Grealish at Aston Villa and knows the forward well.

On his former Aston Villa teammate, he added: “Jack’s back in the squad. I texted him jokingly the other day that I hope he’s ready for a nice reception when he gets back to Dublin and I got a few laughing faces back.”

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