Declan Rice has been showered with praise this season, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher calling him “world class” after his dominant display in Arsenal’s win at Anfield. Rice was named player of the match as the Gunners beat Liverpool on Sunday, and he has been one of their standout performers as they have stormed to the top of the Premier League.
The 27-year-old already has five assists in the league this season, the most of any player. All five have come from open play after Mikel Arteta changed his role.
Rice has now been involved in 55 goals since joining Arsenal in 2023, an output that is somewhat underrated given that his energy is so often cited as his main strength.
A new role and a new challenge
Arteta said he had a talk with Rice at the start of the season and told him he is no longer Arsenal’s “lighthouse”, a nickname the manager had previously given him. Arteta said he expected more from the midfielder this season. He added that he will reveal Rice’s new nickname at the end of the campaign.
That conversation clearly stuck with Rice, who referred to it after the Liverpool win.
“The way I’ve started this season is the position that suits me the most. I’ve played in eight, I’ve played six, I’ve played everywhere in midfield. But what suits me the best and the conversation I had with the manager at the start of the season, I’ve done well but he believes I can still do more and he’s drilled that into me,” Rice said in a post-match interview.
“This season I’ve really tried to attack that part going forward, trying to come up with assists, create chances, create moments.
“But being behind the ball as well, linking the play, being involved with all aspects for me is my best position. Whatever the manager decides, I’ll do.”
Managing the workload
Rice has said he prefers to play three games a week to find the rhythm of a season. However, after 55 games for Arsenal last season, neural hamstring pain and a World Cup run to the semi-finals with England, the number of matches began to take its toll.
This season, the signing of Bruno Guimaraes has allowed Rice to be rested for the EFL Cup games. England also rested him during the last international break.
Carragher and Havertz offer their views
Carragher was effusive in his assessment of the midfielder.
“He’s one of the best midfield players Arsenal have ever had,” Carragher said. “They’ve obviously had some great ones. He’s right up there with the best of them. He’s the best midfield player in the Premier League by a long way. It’s not even a debate.”
Kai Havertz said that “90%” of his winning goal against Liverpool belonged to Rice, pointing to the energy Rice showed and the quality of the ball he played to assist the German.
A more flexible midfield
Arsenal’s midfield has rotated more this season, and opposition managers have spoken about how difficult it is to defend against. Rice has at times anchored the base of the midfield. However, with the addition of Guimaraes, and with Myles Lewis-Skelly alongside him, Rice has also been given the freedom to push higher up the pitch.
Rice has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season, helping Arsenal to a strong start.
Contract talks
Talks over a new contract are ongoing. Arteta said Rice “wants to continue here for the long term and it will be a matter of time when we resolve that”.