"Seems a bad idea", "Risky to play him" - Arsenal fans question Mikel Arteta's decision to start key player for UCL clash against Slavia Prague

Arsenal are set to face Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League
Arsenal are set to face Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League

Arsenal fans have expressed their apprehension over the decision of manager Mikel Arteta to name Declan Rice in the starting XI for their game against Slavia Prague. The Gunners are set to lock horns with the Czech giants in their UEFA Champions League encounter, looking to extend their 100% record in the competition.

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Arteta's side has enjoyed a blistering start to the 2025-26 season, winning 13 of 15 games across all competitions. Following three successive wins in the Champions League, the Spanish tactician has opted to shuffle his pack for the game in Prague.

Arteta has made three changes to the XI that overcame Burnley in the Premier League last weekend but kept England international Rice in the XI. The decision of the manager has been met by disagreement from a section of the club's fans, leading them to complain via X.

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A fan complained that the decision to start the Englishman is a bad one, also complaining about the absence of Myles Lewis-Skelly from the XI.

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Another fan expressed apprehension over the inclusion of Rice, who is at risk of a suspension for yellow card accumulation ahead of their upcoming game against Bayern Munich.

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A fan questioned why Rice was included in the XI for the encounter.

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Another fan asked why Rice was being risked with the danger of a suspension for the Bayern Munich game.

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Mikel Arteta has named Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, and Piero Hincapie in the starting XI to face the Czech side. The trio come in for Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, and Riccardo Calafiori. Sweden international Gyokeres misses out on the Arsenal squad entirely, following an injury in the game against Burnley last weekend.

Arsenal chasing history in visit to Prague

Arsenal are looking to equal a club record as they visit Slavia Prague in their UEFA Champions League Matchday Four encounter. The Gunners have won all three of their games in the competition this season and are one of only five sides to have done so.

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Mikel Arteta's side have prevented opponents from finding the back of the net in each of their last seven games, last conceding a goal in September. The club's record for consecutive clean sheets stands at eight, a tally achieved back in 1903, according to official Premier League records.

Arsenal have made one change to their backline for the trip to Prague, with Ecuador international Piero Hincapie making his first start in Europe for the club. He comes in for Italian left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who drops to the bench for the clash.

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Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen
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