Declan Rice could make way for another player at Arsenal
Declan Rice filled in at right back on the weekend(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal have quietly confirmed their first sale of the summer transfer window, while Declan Rice ‘s short term position has faced scrutiny.
The Gunners stand just three victories away from achieving glory. After a tense and controversial 1-0 victory at West Ham on Sunday, Mikel Arteta ‘s side can secure the Premier League title for the first time since 2004 by winning their final two league matches.
That would position the north London side for a potential historic domestic and European Cup double when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30.
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Arsenal will aim to become European champions for the first time in their history in Budapest, although the quality of their opponents and recent injury setbacks suggest it will be far from straightforward.
Now, ahead of Monday’s league encounter with Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, football.london brings you two of the biggest stories concerning the Gunners.
Declan Rice faces sacrifice
Paul Scholes believes Declan Rice should play at right-back for the rest of the campaign. Rice was deployed as a right-back during the first half of the win over West Ham after an injury to Ben White.
He eventually reverted to his favoured central midfield position in the second half after the Gunners started losing control of the midfield in his absence. However, White’s MCL injury side-lining him until the end of the season, along with continued fitness concerns over Jurrien Timber, have left Arteta lacking depth at a critical stage of the season.
Manchester United legend Scholes believes Rice should sacrifice himself by playing out of position for the remainder of Arsenal’s matches, despite Cristhian Mosquera being a more natural defender capable of filling that role. Scholes also seemed to question Rice’s creative output while voicing his opinion.
He said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast : “Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a big creator anyway.”
Podcast co-host and fellow United legend Nicky Butt drew parallels between Rice’s versatility and Roy Keane’s during his prime, stating: “Roy Keane played right-back for two-thirds of a season,” to which Scholes said: “He played there loads and was brilliant.”
First Arsenal transfer announced
Jakub Kiwior has joined Porto(Image: Daniel Castro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Arsenal have confirmed Jakub Kiwior’s transfer to Porto on a permanent basis. Kiwior joined the Portuguese club on a season-long loan deal last year which was expected to become permanent this summer.
Porto confirmed last week that they had activated the option to sign the Polish defender on a four-year contract, having agreed a £14million deal that could increase to £19m. Arsenal have since confirmed the departure in a relatively understated manner through their weekly loan watch update.
“Jakub Kiwior’s move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos’ Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend,” their post read. “The Polish defender was an unused substitute in this weekend’s 3-1 defeat at AFS, in which the team was rotated.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
