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How Declan Rice’s game has evolved for Arsenalpublished at 19:47 BST
Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Declan Rice celebrates Arsenal’s goal at Fulham.
Declan Rice is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League, but his role for the Gunners now is very different from the one he played in when he arrived at the club.
When Rice signed for Arsenal from West Ham for £105m in 2023, he spent the first six months as a more traditional holding midfielder, before he moved to a box-to-box role following a winter training camp in January 2024.
That change brought an increase in his attacking numbers, helped by him taking set-pieces, and he carried that into last season as the 26-year-old produced a career-best campaign for goal contributions with nine goals and 10 assists.
Martin Zubimendi’s presence this season, however, has actually meant Rice taking up a deeper position alongside him, but in a role that allows the Englishman to use his running power to join Arsenal attacks.
Rice’s recent performances have prompted former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira to describe him as a “complete midfielder”.
Take a read of Alex Howell’s piece looking at how Rice has evolved into an Arsenal all-rounder.
