'Unnatural': Declan Rice now sends message to Mikel Arteta about where he prefers to play at Arsenal

12/29/2024 06:15 AM

Declan Rice has been discussing his favourite position to play for Arsenal with Mikel Arteta having used him in various different roles this season.

Rice has alternated between playing as a number six and a number eight with the midfielder demonstrating so many different facets to his game and just what a well-rounded player he has become. He is currently on two goals and five assists for the season.

At West Ham, the England international was a defensive midfielder but under Arteta, he has transformed into more of an advanced box-to-box player. Now, Rice has given his honest thoughts on being used in a different role.

Declan Rice reveals Mikel Arteta’s tactical message

Declan Rice has admitted that he has enjoyed playing in the number eight role at Arsenal and it is making him hungry to score more goals. The midfielder revealed that his most natural position is the number six, although he is happy to play wherever Mikel Arteta wants him.

For the majority of this season, that has been in a more advanced midfield role with Rice being handed more freedom to get forward and play in a box-to-box type role. The 25-year-old claims that the manager has been alternating his role depending on the opposition. Rice recently impressed in the number eight role against Crystal Palace as he bagged a goal and assist at Selhurst Park.

Rice told Prime Sport: “I feel like I can do whatever the manager wants me to do. I think I’ve always been best growing up as a six, but since I’ve come here I’ve started to learn that eight role and I feel really free in that role. Moving up and down the pitch, being a bit more box-to-box. Sometimes when the manager asks me to arrive in the box, it’s a bit more unnatural for me, because that’s not my natural game, but it does make me more hungry for goals.

“Depending on the opposition, I’ll play wherever the manager needs me to play. I had a slow start to the season off the back of the Euros but off the back of the last couple of weeks I’ve been finding my feet again and feeling much more back to myself and I’m really pleased.”

Declan Rice hints at the reason behind Arsenal’s lack of goals

Arsenal have been questioned over their recent lack of goals having dropped points against Fulham and Everton and just about beating Man United and Ipswich. Although Rice revealed his frustration towards playing against teams who just come to put players behind the ball and has urged his teammates to just keep plugging away in these situations.

Rice added: “I think it’s been a constant theme for us recently, we’ve been dominating games but teams have been coming here, low blocks, putting a lot of people behind the ball and it’s been really tough to break a 5-4-1. We’ve got to keep going, I think second-half we could have had more, when the games are tough you’ve got to keep pushing. Luckily enough in the end it was an important win and I think that’s the most important thing.”