Arsenal news: Major Rice concern as Arteta facing 'nightmare scenario'

Arsenal take on Club Brugge in the Champions League as they look to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition - but that might be easier said than done

It's been a challenging couple of weeks for Arsenal, who will be desperate to get back to winning ways against Club Brugge in the Champions League. Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa put a significant dent in their Premier League title hopes and allowed Manchester City to close the gap at the top to just two points.

A last-minute strike from Emi Buendia sealed Arsenal's third setback in their last five league matches - a run that has seen them tumble from clear title favourites to a side suddenly under pressure. The Gunners will have a chance to avenge the Villa result when Unai Emery's men travel to the Emirates Stadium at the end of the month.

Before then, however, they face a demanding stretch: league games against Wolves, Everton and Brighton, plus a League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. First on the agenda, though, is a potentially awkward trip to Club Brugge.

Arsenal are strong favourites, but with several key players sidelined and others having barely trained in the build-up, navigating Wednesday's clash may prove trickier than anticipated. With that in mind, here are the latest Arsenal-related headlines.

Rice fitness concern

Declan Rice was conspicuously absent from Tuesday's open training session as Arsenal prepared for their trip to Belgium. The England midfielder has featured in all 22 of the Gunners' matches this season - but is now a doubt for the upcoming tie.

It's understood the 26-year-old was working indoors along with the likes of William Saliba and Leandro Trossard. Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta will be concerned about Rice's fitness after a gruelling run of five games in just two weeks.

Arsenal boast a perfect record in the Champions League this season and can all but secure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds with a win over Club Brugge. But with little jeopardy attached to the fixture, it may also be a good opportunity to give a key player like Rice a well-earned rest.

Arteta's nightmare scenario

Resting Rice may prove a smart move, particularly as the former West Ham midfielder is just one yellow card away from a Champions League suspension. He's not alone - Mikel Merino is also a single caution away from missing Arsenal's next European fixture.

The pair will have to tread carefully if they feature against Club Brugge, especially since Arsenal's next opponents are Inter Milan at the San Siro. Rice and Merino have logged more appearances than any other Arsenal players this season and their importance is undeniable: Rice continues to dictate games from midfield, while Merino has impressed as an makeshift No. 9.

However, with both stars walking a disciplinary tightrope, Arteta faces a nightmare scenario. He must either rest two of his most influential performers or gamble on them being available for the crucial showdown in Milan next month.

Arsenal target 'next Ozil'

Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move for Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler, widely touted as the "next Mesut Ozil." The highly rated Turkish midfielder has emerged as one of Europe's brightest young talents and, despite featuring regularly under Xabi Alonso this season, continues to be linked with a potential departure from the Bernabeu.

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are said to be among several elite clubs monitoring the situation, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United also interested. Guler is expected to command a fee in excess of £80million, with Real Madrid understandably reluctant to part with such a prized prospect.

The Gunners are already well-stocked in midfield, but having successfully tempted the real Mesut Ozil to North London from Madrid for a sizeable fee back in 2013, they may be tempted to repeat history with his much-hyped successor.