When Declan Rice last played for Arsenal, some curious claims were made about why he wasn’t performing at his best. As influential as he was last season, the Englishman hasn’t been as effective in his last three Arsenal appearances.
Some have suggested that his effectiveness as an LCM has diminished whereas the player himself has admitted he has not been fully fit. In fact, some believe that when he returns to the Arsenal lineup after serving his red card ban, Mikel Arteta should just get him back to playing as a 6.
As stubborn as Arteta is, with Mikel Merino still out, he may still be hoping for the Englishman to play as an 8 going forward and influence the team’s performance like he did in the Premier League run-in. If the Englishman does not play as a 6, Arteta should consider taking inspiration from how England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, utilised him.
The Three Lions manager deployed the Arsenal player as a right-sided midfielder in a midfield trio, and he performed admirably. Rice performed exceptionally well against Ireland, not only scoring and assisting but also making 106 touches and completing 88 passes. When compared to his performance against Aston Villa, where he played as a left-sided midfielder, the ex-Hammer demonstrated his potential. He performed better on the right side against Ireland compared to Villa, where he managed just 44 touches and completed 28 passes.
Rice clearly could have a greater influence as a right-sided midfielder (as he was against Ireland), and Mikel Arteta should try it if he wants to keep either Thomas Partey or Jorginho in the 6.
Martin Odegaard is capable of playing as a left-sided midfielder (LCM). In fact, some Gooners have urged the Norwegian star to shift to the LCM position in order to elevate the LHS, but the Arsenal technical bench has yet to implement this change.
If I were Arteta, I’d try playing Rice at RCM, because if it works, that could be the path to go until Mikel Merino is back fit and forces his way into the Arsenal midfield equation.
Darren N
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Arteta is obsessed with right footed left side players and vice versa. Saka excels on the right but with wing play they are obvious benefits. With central midfielders and defenders it is much more about the happiness of the player.
Don’t waste Rice in the wrong position. He’s our record transfer because he excels as an old fashioned #4. Like Vieira, Gilberto, Flamini, even Kante or Mascherano, Rice is all about breaking up the opposition play and driving our midfield forward.
Merino is technically superior and will probably be the #8 we need, but stop trying to wedge players into a tactic. Instead just put our eleven best players in their best possible positions. Only make signings that improve that 11 and stop replacing the players that haven’t left yet.
Last year Arteta replaced Ramsgate. This summer he left, broken. This summer we replaced Partey & Jorginho with one Merino. Sterling replaces Nelson & ESR. Calafiore replaced Tavares?
Who replaced Lokonga & Patino?
Our first 11 look great, but where is the squad balance?
I can’t see this happening
The Odegaard -Saka-White combination is nigh on perfect, why break it up?
Might need too, as Ødegaard is injured!
It’s going from bad to worse.
Already broken up, Ødegaard doubtful.
We really need to stop using how players perform in international competitions for useful analysis at club level. It is apples and oranges in most cases.
…and comparing Ireland with Villa🤣