Arsenal will get value for money for Declan Rice
Declan Rice’s potential move to Arsenal has garnered significant attention, with the midfielder being sought after by several top clubs. This article delves into Rice’s playing profile, highlighting his strengths, areas for improvement, and why he would be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s squad.
- Defensive Discipline and Intelligence:
Rice excels in his defensive duties, displaying astute positional awareness and calculated decision-making. Rather than impulsively diving into tackles, he patiently patrols the midfield, timing his challenges to perfection. His “true” tackle win rate of 70% is unmatched among his peers, showcasing his ability to come out on top when engaging opponents.
Declan Rice is everything you want in a CM. Always fit and ready, athletic, great defensive awareness, great intercepting the ball, tackling and reading the game, fantastic avoiding pressure with his passing or dribbling, composed, great breaking the lines.
— Spanish Gooner (@elspanishgooner) June 28, 2023
- Versatility and Adaptability:
With his background as a center-back and his experience in a deep-lying midfield role, the Englishman brings versatility to the Gunners’ squad. He can seamlessly transition between defensive positions and perform different roles based on tactical requirements. This adaptability would provide Arsenal with options in their defensive setup. While holding onto important leads, this attribute can be invaluable.
- High-Pressing Potential:
Although the 24yo hasn’t been extensively utilized in a high-pressing system, his physical attributes and intelligence make him well-suited for such a style of play. Given the opportunity, Rice has demonstrated the ability to press aggressively and disrupt opposition play. His inclusion would add another dimension to Arsenal’s pressing game.
- Progressive Carrying and Ball Retention:
The West Ham man possesses excellent ball-carrying ability, evidenced by his 51 progressive carries last season, ranking among the top midfielders in the Premier League. He has the vision and composure to drive forward, break lines, and initiate attacking moves. Additionally, his high passing accuracy and low turnover rate contribute to effective ball retention, a crucial aspect of Mikel Arteta’s possession-based style.
- Leadership and Longevity:
At just 24 years old, Rice has already established himself as a leader on and off the pitch. Despite his young age, he has been a key figure for West Ham and has captained the side on multiple occasions. His leadership qualities would be invaluable in Arsenal’s midfield, providing stability and guidance to the younger players while also ensuring a strong presence for years to come.
Conclusion:
Declan Rice’s potential arrival at the Emirates Stadium would bolster their midfield significantly. His defensive discipline, versatility, and high-pressing potential would enhance Arsenal’s tactical options and defensive solidity.
Furthermore, his ability to carry the ball and retain possession aligns with Arteta’s style of play. As a young leader with considerable room for growth, Rice could become a key figure in Arsenal’s future successes.
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watch how many Gooners who said he’s not worth the money , not an upgrade on Partey, not as good as Rodri ….suddenly change
Dan
His price tag is a little steep but at 24 he is a generational talent.
But when you think he will get even better, what the heck?
I always said he will be a huge signing
improves us so much , leadership qualities , will be the face of Arsenal for a decade
kind of signing we should be making
I’m saying that when he was maybe going Man City some questioned him . I just wondering is now will be the same?
Whay you illustrate so well DAN,is the natural hypocrisy in humans and football fans , everywhere, are still humans.
Hypocrisy has never surprised me, being one myself. So I expect it and when I am in ag ood mood, I allow for it.
But being human and having good and bad days, on a bad day, I come down on others hypocrisy, though rarely my own, like a ton of bricks.
Conclusion then? That I, like almost all other humans, am a hypocrite.
Its normal, natural, not actually desirable but an inevitable fact, given that we are ALL human.
More mankind observers would be wise to take this post as truth, as it plainly is true..
Who agrees?
Is what Dan described actually hypocrisy? I don’t think it is
DAVI My reply to Dan was to his line which says this:” watch how many Gooners who said he;s not worth the , not asnupgrade onPartey, not as good as Rodri, suddenly change”
If YOU do nor recognise that as classic hypocrisy, which Dan describes inothers, though not in himself, than you have not a proper underatanding of what the word HYPOCRISY truly means!.
It is, exactly as described, classic hypocrisy.
I do not blame anyone for that however. I merely point out the fact, as a keen observer of our common human race.
Hypocrisy to my mind would be criticising something, and then doing that thing yourself – like saying it’s wrong to drive cars or fly planes because of the environmental impact, whilst traveling around in a private jet; or preaching chastity for others and not keeping to it yourself.
What Dan describes is different imo – that’s a person *changing* their view based on the fact rice has joined *us* and not someone else (assuming he does join us) or something like that (I’m actually unclear why people would change their view before he’s played a game for us). Them changing their view for convenience (I assume?) is not the same thing – it exposes some sort of weakness of character, perhaps, but it’s not hypocrisy as I understand it.
Regarding hypocrisy – I do agree that everyone is a hypocrite to some degree, but i do think it’s important to recognise that being a hypocrite is not desirable. Criticising blatant hypocrisy is absolutely legitimate (and generally good practice, I’d argue), so long as you actively try not to be one yourself.
Whether one liked the idea or not, the best thing you do is to support him and be positive about how things will turn as he is now our player.
This generation talent will bring power and dynamism and like Xhaka, a ever presence in the middle of the park
GS – this is a really odd comment to me. The term generational talent suggests he’s one of the top players of his generation, and that is far from confirmed, but to say that’s the case because he’s like xhaka is bizarre. Xhaka has some great games last season, and in truth was always a good international midfielder, but he was never truly outstanding.
The most recent midfielders I can think of who’d be considered “generational talents” are de bruyne and modric – rice has got to show he can have an impact like them before we can start praising him to that level – he certainly hasn’t done that, from what I’ve seen.
I dont know yourown rationality and first language DAVI , thoiugh you seem to use English extremely well, but GS is not English and his own language understanding is IMO of rather lesser quality.
So I think he has simply misused the term “generation talent” in Xhaka’s case.
No more than that . A simple, though understandable, misuse of English and of no real import, IMO!
For what its worth, as a highly educated Englishman born and bred, I am fortunate to have an English language degree, but I try to remember that we have fans on here from across the globe (fortunately for us all and for our club) and all are welcome, though a number do indeed have various levels of language difficulty on this English language site.
They all do their best though.
Jonfox
You are dead wrong, Declan Rice I said is a generational talent.
And am referring to Xhaka ever presence, because of his consistent availability.
One dosen’t have to have a master to have an opinion in football, but we all make mistakes, this is not one.
Davi
The comparison with Xhaka and Rice is their consistent availability, though they share remarkable leadership traits I was merely emphasizing their ever presence in the team.
As it relates to the generational talents Real Madrid spoted it in Modric and Ronaldo at Spuds and Man United respectively, Now Arsenal spotted it in Rice at West Ham but I will elaborate on Rice here.
It may feel like Rice has been around for ages, but he’s only 24 years old, despite his career still being in its infancy he’s already rack up some 200 premier league appearances as well as big tournament experience with club and country.
Rice started as a center back and it shows his off the ball awareness is simply outstanding you will not be surprised to learned that no player completed more interceptions in the 2023 (63), while his aerial prowess is unmatched with players who plays in a similar role.
But Rice now is adding goals to his game and to think he added five goals to how deep he plays, in a nut shell he’s a real talent on our hands.
I don’t know why I picked on your comment to be honest, GS, so apologies for that – I think it’s just that term generational talent, it’s a really big claim imo. It’s a fair enough opinion, though – time will tell if you’re right.
Davi
Thanks mate for responding to my comments, I don’t see it as you picking on my comments, I see it more as you sharing your opinions with me for which I respect.
👍
Nice article. But you didn’t mention weaknesses in his game that need improvement.
👍
Correct! Still think he will get to new levels under Mikel!
COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arsenal have changed the way they buy and sell players. If you want facts here they are. The structure of the deal for Rice was already part agreed between West ham and Arsenal which was the initial £75 million, but the add-ons was the stumbling block. The add-ons have now been changed and agreed. This is together with the pre agreed initial £75 million is £10 million for each of the first 3 winter years of a 6 year contract but *without conditions*, the 7th year optional. Total is £105 million. Kai has a similar structure deal but with added minor conditions. That is £50 million plus £5 million for each of the first 3 years of a 6 year contract with 7 th year optional. Total £65 million. My friend works in the admin team, but I cannot mention her name. The structure for Kai will be announced first then Rice within 9 days. Personally i dont think he is worth it, but time will tell. They will also sell their players in a similar structured way to get the maximum capital for thieir players from financial difficult teams. Piers Morgan reckons Arsenal should go for Victor Osimhen. The only way that would happen would be a similar amount and structured deal that was accepted for Rice with Balogan thrown in as part of the deal. But i like your thinking Piers
@Daveg,
“My friend works in the admin team but I cannot mention her name.” Unwittingly, you have already given away the identity of your friend. Supposing your friend is the only female working in the admin team? You have made it easier for her bosses to identify the mole.
Being a PART of an admin team does not mean that female mentioned would know the precise details given by daveg, of the financial structures.
I do not believe his post as being true.
One reason why I do not believe it is this:
It is common for seller clubs who do not receive the whole fee up front, but in stages, to do a deal with a bank or other lending source, where that source advances ALL the fee up front , in return for a charge to the seller- which is often part of the negotiation with the buying club, btw It varies with bankrate, but will right now be around seven to nine percent of the total fee (though that may vary a deal given the details of the specific deal overall).
I think dave g, is claiming to know something which he cannot possible know with any authenticity therefore.
Apart from which, IF that lady exists at all, and as his friend, she would be revealing something she OUGHT NOT to reveal. Such transactional deals very rarely ever find themselves into the precise knowledge of even professional top level journos, at least not in any detail..
But that clubs use banks is WIDELY KNOWN
Arsenal have signed him, so any doubts will be useless now. If he fails as a CDM, we have known that Arteta could always convert him into an AM or a CB
Man City have chosen to save a lot of money by approaching Gabri Veiga, who’s available for merely £40m
Gai, if Westham had accepted MCity 90m they would have signed DRice. For PeP to consider him before GVeiga, DRice definitely got something worth admiring. I bet he will perform in Arsenal Setup his stats in Epl is quite encouraging. This guy was consistently chosen in England Midfield for Euros and World Cup where England played well and only lost narrowly to better teams who reached final of the Events. I don’t think Arteta would allow Kroenke break the bank without his trust in the player and ideas next season.
Yes, but it could also mean Man City don’t think Rice is worth £105m. I bet we could get Osimhen or Vlahovic with that kind of money
However, Arsenal would most likely bring Rice in now, so we can only hope he will improve our team
I still wonder why Arteta isn’t prioritizing a CF for next season well, one can’t really blame him he had wingers turning in the goals last season. Many goals between Odegard, Saka and Matinnelli and then Jesus. I hope Arteta got the real need of the team right.. Our opinions always count for little.
Probably because there are some clauses on Jesus’ contract that forced Arteta to keep him as our main CF till the end of next season or maybe Havertz will be assigned in the CF position
I like Rice, I really do but for that price we could’ve gotten McAllister and then still had 70mil for a solid new DM
I think Arteta convinced the board that Arsenal lacked the energy towards the end of last season. Rice, according to his heatmap ratings covers the milage of 1.5 to 2 players on average. So it would be like buying two players. His interceptions per game of 1.7 is not exactly match winning but i believe his position understanding, reading the game and energy is what Arteta was looking for the most to see us through the final third of the season. I hope the price tag is not too much pressure for him to live up to and that he plays injury free. I think for the little money being offered for Partey or jorginho, i hope Arteta keeps them for at least one more year as a back up for injuries and Champions league experience.
Interceptions are among his defensive strengths.
For comparison: Caicedo 1.5; Partey 0.7; Rodri 1.8 & just for a laugh, Xhaka 0.4. I don’t think we’ve really had a midfielder with good interception skills since Abou Diaby.
…although Arteta himself wasn’t so bad at it.
Jax, I think CERTAIN of our fans, in their eagerness to try to make Arteta into little more than a minor talent, both when still a player and now as a manager too, DELIBERATELY DISRESPECT his playing days in our shirt.
I suspect you agree with me, to judge from your many posts.
Ol’ Pep are beginning to make mistakes. It’s a good sign. Yeah, this signing is a good sign. Let’s get more strength to defense, let’s get Aurélien Tchouaméni. Then we can let Thomas Partey go.
Would have gone for Tchouameni over Rice but MA is the boss. That sum is way too much for him, I think he’s overhyped honestly. Fingers crossed 🤞
In terms of spending £105m I find the sum too much as I thought £100m was too much for Grealish. Crazy sums of money changing hands.
That said, there is no doubt that Kroenke is supporting Arteta in this window and there can’t be complaints that he and Edu have been slow in the market. It’s been pretty aggressive imo.
The potential signing of DR hasn’t been based on the whim of an executive in the pocket of a couple of agents but rather based on who Arteta feels is right for the job ahead. It’s up to him now to make his signings work and I’m looking forward to seeing Rice and Havertz in Arsenal shirts.
So it’s getting to the stage now that the squad really does consist of Arteta’s signings so the season ahead is when he can properly be judged on where the process has been heading. A big year ahead for Arteta and the team
Although I make a joke about all the Rice articles that appear almost hourly now, it is to be expected and I DO appreciate reading them all.
It seems to me that we Gooners divide into two camps; the ones that think we are vastly overpaying for Rice, and then those who, like me, recognise him as a massive asset(assuming his signing completes) and praise the clubs sheer determination to attract the very best, no matter the high cost, to come to us.
. Yesterday I used the analogy of a Porsche and a Fiat , with Rice being the Porsche and hence expensive.
Logical thinking, an asset to any fan, OUGHTto show all of us that either you haveREAL ambition and pay huge money when strictly necessary, OR you decide to aim only to be nearly men.
Who agrees?
Jon, I see Rice as an asset that we’re overpaying for, but with his fitness record, performance stats at West Ham, and natural leadership qualities, he could pay that back within two or three seasons.
Jax to put your wise post in true context, I agree that the WHOLE of football is overpaid, with players wages and transfer fees being completely MAD and uttimately unsustainable.
But as we are ALL IN THE MADHOUSE that is Prem football, we either decide to leave it altogether,. which means SOMEHOW beating our shared private personal addiction. OR turning a blind eye to the madness of it, even while calling for vitally needed complete change , as best we can.
I see no other practical way to change things, but only WISH I COULD.
We are paying a premium for Rice that is without question. That said, the ends justify the means and we may look back and say he was worth every penny. If he is being judged purely as a CDM it is difficult not to question the price, but my personal opinion is we are buying a proven product, a marketable product (poster boy) and a leader. His type of personality is infectious and the more belief we have in this young team the better. West Ham were in a strong position and we are in a crazy market. Every season it seems that one position in the market is in greater demand, this season it’s CDM. I don’t think either Caicedo or Onana would have been bad signings, but I am happy to pay the premium for Rice because of the reasons stated above.
Don’t focus on the price, this is a marquee/ statement signing. He will be value for money because he not just simply a good CDM. We are getting a personality and presence that resembles the characterization of the Invincibles qualities. Players of his character turn up every game, even when they are not on their best form their presence contributes to the combative and winning mentality that we need to kick on to the next level.
After they’ve completed their signing of Kai Havertz, and looking will soon comelee their signing of Rice. But what is the latest on Arsenal signing of Jurrien Timber and that of Romeo Lavia this summer? Lavia who according to media reports Chelsea are eying for their signing this summer.
Arsenal should therefore try by all financial means to not miss out on the reported highly talented 19 year old Lavia this summer but sign him.
And of course, they won’t fail to sign Timber this summer but sign him after they’ve identified him as their 3rd priority for signing this summer. And sign him as soon as they can. So that no hijacking team lurking around the corner will get the chance to hijack his signing from Arsenal.