Our former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has expressed doubts about Mikel Arteta’s plan to deploy Declan Rice in a more attacking role in Arsenal’s midfield.
Rice is set to become Arsenal’s record signing in a £105 million deal from West Ham United. Arteta reportedly wants to unlock Rice’s attacking potential by playing him in a more advanced role.
Petit, who himself was converted from a left-back to a midfielder during his time at the Gunners, believes the Englishman lacks the technical quality to excel as a No.8.
According to Petit, Rice turned down Manchester City’s interest because he would have struggled to break into their starting lineup, given Rodri’s impressive performances as the holding midfielder.
“Pep [Guardiola] only likes to play with one holding midfielder, and Stones has shown he is more than capable of stepping in there when necessary, from defense as well,” Petit told DAZN Bet.
The Frenchman argues that the former West Ham man is best suited as a No.6 and questions whether he would have regular playing time at the heart of the champions. He points to the examples of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, who spent a significant portion of last season on the bench despite their quality performances.
🔴⚪️ | 🚨 Declan Rice just successfully passed his medical at Arsenal – busy day at the club. ✅ #AFC #Transfers #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/WwSpnjJIIu
— Punch Drunk Arsenal (@PunchDrunkAFC) July 7, 2023
Petit believes Arsenal is the best option for Rice, as he will have the opportunity to play every game in a team that suits him well. He highlights the Reds’ young squad, with whom the 24yo is already familiar from his experiences playing against them and alongside some of them for the England national team.
While Arteta’s plan to utilize Rice in a more advanced role may be ambitious, it remains to be seen how the midfielder will adapt to the new role and whether he can prove Petit’s doubts wrong.
Arsenal fans will be eager to see how Rice’s arrival will impact the team and whether he can fulfill his potential and his fee in North London.
Writer – Yash Bisht
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I think people underestimate what a technically gifted player Rice is. The presence of partey, if he stays which is looking more likely at the moment, will perhaps allow Arteta to let Rice showcase the attacking side of his game.
Sean, if Partey leaves, Arsenal has more options to fill the No.6 position than the No.8 position in the starting midfield.
Oops, got my 6 and 8 back the front, more options at No.8!.
How would anyone know how Rice will be used? He’s not even an Arsenal player yet!
From the comments on here a lot of people see Rice as a replacement for Partey, but personally I always saw him more in the Xhaka role.
👍 likewise.
Spend £105M on a defensive midfielder and then play him as an attacking one. Doesn’t make any sense to me. He should be replacing Partey, no Xhaka. Unless we get Tchouameni as well and then I don’t think it really matters.
Which technical does this person don’t see in Rice.I think Rice can play role 8 very well he has all the qualities to play there. who knows that xhaka one day will be successful in more advanced role
I would expect Rice to predominantly start most games in the lone 6 position because Spending £65M on Havertz to be back up to him in the attacking 8 does not make sense imho however I do think he will be occasionally be moved further forward into the left 8 position maybe when Arteta is trying to shore up a game taking Havertz off and bringing on Partey/new signing or he may even start in that position when we are away at Anfield/Etihad/Old Trafford to give us more defensive solidity.
Not forget Jorginho his table starts and recovery is more than Pathey. Jorginho still plays for Italy national team. And Enemy who is a good DM is coming back. Take out Havertz and any of the above mentioned players will partner Rice well.
Not to forget Jorginho, his tackle stats and recovery is more than Pathey. Jorginho still plays for Italy national team. And Elneny who is a good DM is coming back. Take out Havertz and any of the above mentioned players will partner Rice well.