Mikel Arteta now knows that Declan Rice is determined to focus on perfecting one role within the Arsenal team.
Declan Rice has been sensational for Arsenal this season.
The Gunners paid a club-record £105 million fee to sign the midfielder from West Ham United in the recent summer transfer window. He arrived at the Emirates Stadium with a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, but has since proven himself to be so much more than that.
Arsenal fans are now convinced that Rice has already lived up to his hefty price tag. Certainly, he has taken his game to a new level under the guidance of Mikel Arteta.
Arteta has encouraged Rice to take up a more advanced role than he has previously been used to playing in his career. This aggressive move has been well rewarded, as the 25-year-old has enjoyed his best season in front of goal of his career so far. The England star has racked up 7 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
Rather than simply sitting in front of the defence as a No. 6, at the base of the Gunners’ midfield trio, Rice has regularly been deployed as a more advanced No. 8 in recent weeks. There is now a debate about which of these positions Arteta should earmark for Rice as he continues to build his midfield contingent.
Mikel Arteta knows what Declan Rice wants to become at Arsenal
As far as the former West Ham man is concerned though, he wants to commit himself to becoming the best box-to-box midfielder in the world, able to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
As reported by Sports Lens: “Mikel Arteta is aware that Rice wants to develop the creative side of his game and the England midfielder believes he can be one of the best box-to-box players in the game.”
That report continues to claim that Gunners believe that there is more to coax out of the player in an attacking sense. His set-piece deliveries have been a valuable weapon, and he showed great determination and finishing ability against Bournemouth last time out, as he made a lung-busting run in the 97th minute to arrive in the box and get himself on the scoresheet.
What more can Declan Rice give to Arsenal?
It would be a huge boost for Arteta if Rice could take his game up yet another level. The confidence that that would give the player would also amplify his impact off the pitch.
The 50-cap England international is a natural leader. He wore the armband in his time at the London Stadium, and Arteta has already tipped Rice to be a future Arsenal captain.