Paul Merson has suggested that one Arsenal player is being used in the wrong role at this summer’s Euros.
The group stage of this summer’s competition came to an end this week, with Arsenal seeing three of their 11 players leave the tournament, those being Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
With the knockout stage now set, there’s a good chance that one Arsenal player could end up winning the Euros and return to north London later this summer as a European championship, a boost that could be huge going into the new Premier League season.
Yet Arsenal legend Merson believes that one Arsenal star is not being utilised correctly at the Euros.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice not being used to his strengths for England, says Merson
Speaking on Football’s Greatest, the former Highbury striker made the claim that Declan Rice is not being used to his new strengths for England at the Euros, with the midfielder developing into a more advanced no. 8 at Arsenal this season.
The 25-year-old enjoyed his most productive year to date in his professional career in his first year under Mikel Arteta, yet Rice has been restricted in his role for England at the Euros, with Merson noting that the Arsenal man should be playing to his strengths.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Declan Rice from his girlfriend to height
Merson said on Rice’s performances for England this Euros: “I don’t think we get out enough. The more I’m watching it now, I’m a massive fan of Declan Rice, I like Declan Rice, but he’s got to play further forward. He doesn’t get on the half-turn and lose his marker as well as a Rodri, or someone like that.
“When Stones and Guehi have got the ball, you have the forward there from the other team and Declan Rice never gets into the right position. He is always either standing behind, or he comes in front of him, where if he gets it in front of him, it makes no difference as well. So I think that’s a problem as well.”
Change to Rice’s role could unlock England’s true potential this Euros
A lot has been made about England’s poor performances out in Germany this summer, with Rice highlighted on Tuesday for his underwhelming display against Slovenia in Cologne.
Yet a change to Rice’s role in midfield and giving the Arsenal man the keys to roam forward could be what England need to unlock their true potential and to get the best out of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Indeed, Rice is arguably England’s most important player alongside captain Harry Kane, and getting the best out of the Arsenal midfielder could be the difference between another early exit or ending the wait for another piece of international silverware.
Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella whilst Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews for England so far, Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
There was some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise training camp with Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on at the Copa America with Brazil.