Declan Rice has played as a #6 for his entire career yet it's possible Arteta and Arsenal are signing him to play in the #8.
Below, in this in-depth thread, I break down why Rice is destined to succeed & spearhead Arsenal to many TITLES regardless of where he plays!
THREAD 🔴⚪️
Below, in this in-depth thread, I break down why Rice is destined to succeed & spearhead Arsenal to many TITLES regardless of where he plays!
THREAD 🔴⚪️
Arteta loves to sign players and use them in new roles.
Thomas Partey played in a double pivot for a defensive team in Atleti, Arteta used him in a single pivot for a possession based 4-3-3. Ramsdale exclusively played long at Sheffield United, he plays from the back at Arsenal.
Thomas Partey played in a double pivot for a defensive team in Atleti, Arteta used him in a single pivot for a possession based 4-3-3. Ramsdale exclusively played long at Sheffield United, he plays from the back at Arsenal.
Ben White played as a centre back in a back 3 for Brighton, Arteta uses him as a fullback who often inverts in a back 4.
Fabio Vieira played as a #10 for a direct 4-4-2 team at Porto, yet Arteta uses him in a positional play system for a possession based team..
I could go on..
Fabio Vieira played as a #10 for a direct 4-4-2 team at Porto, yet Arteta uses him in a positional play system for a possession based team..
I could go on..
Declan Rice will likely be the next addition to that list as he played in a double pivot in a defensive team at West Ham, yet now he will play as a #8 in a possession-based 4-3-3.
The roles and responsibilities differ entirely on the face of it, but not as much as one may think.
The roles and responsibilities differ entirely on the face of it, but not as much as one may think.
Declan Rice operated in the left half space of West Ham's double pivot, & he will operate in the left half space of Arsenal's 4-3-3.
His role will also be more conservative than his future midfield counterpart in Martin Ødegaard who will consistently stay high between the lines.
His role will also be more conservative than his future midfield counterpart in Martin Ødegaard who will consistently stay high between the lines.
That means Rice will largely operate in the same zones, except at West Ham he typically faced towards the opposition block as he received deep whereas at Arsenal he will receive with his back to goal and oftentimes inside the opposition's block, but not as much as one may think..
Arsenal's left-hand side dynamics are incredibly fluid and often consist of Zinchenko inverting into midfield, Xhaka (now Rice) dropping from high to get on the ball in the first and second phase, and Martinelli + Jesus interchanging positions.
Rotations are a constant theme..
Rotations are a constant theme..
What makes Arteta's system so good, though, is the fact that the players have license to operate in fluid fashion but only within the confines of rigid zones.
The left wing, a deep-lying midfielder, and the left half space must always be occupied.
These are non-negotiables.
The left wing, a deep-lying midfielder, and the left half space must always be occupied.
These are non-negotiables.
It doesn't matter what player finds themselves where, but it matters that each zone is occupied so Arsenal's positional play and ability to combine and interchange optimally remains.
This saw Xhaka, a player who has always played in a double pivot, excel as a #8 last season.
This saw Xhaka, a player who has always played in a double pivot, excel as a #8 last season.
Xhaka had a career high of 16 goal contributions last season, double of which he ever accumulated in his Arsenal career. He evolved profile at the age of 30.
Declan Rice has been signed to replace him, & not only is he capable of it, but he's a clear upgrade on Xhaka in the #8..
Declan Rice has been signed to replace him, & not only is he capable of it, but he's a clear upgrade on Xhaka in the #8..
The #8 role requires the player to initially position themselves high in the half space.
Then it’s about dropping & making passes to help the team to progress play should they require help with that.
That can be a central drop OR a drop into a wide area if Zinchenko inverts.
Then it’s about dropping & making passes to help the team to progress play should they require help with that.
That can be a central drop OR a drop into a wide area if Zinchenko inverts.
In the final third, it’s key to rotate and combine with the left winger and inverted fullback to try to break down low blocks.
Rice may have played in a double pivot at West Ham, but he often found himself in that same triangle-based rotation he will operate in at Arsenal.
Rice may have played in a double pivot at West Ham, but he often found himself in that same triangle-based rotation he will operate in at Arsenal.
The creativity and penetration aspect of the role can be achieved through: combination play, interchanging positions, runs from deep into space, dribbling in tight spaces, attacking the box, circulating patiently, crossing from wide or in the half space, and shooting from range..
Declan Rice can do each and every one of those things to a TOP standard.
He has the comfortability to combine and interchange in tight spaces due to his technical quality and athleticism.
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He has the comfortability to combine and interchange in tight spaces due to his technical quality and athleticism.
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He also has the athleticism to make runs from deep into space and can combine his quick feet with his running power to carry the ball.
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When it comes to circulation of play, he is a high volume passer & technically secure in his actions.
Rice’s first thought is always to keep the ball as opposed to forcing a creative pass whilst maintaining the optimal balance of trying to be progressive & retaining possession.
Rice’s first thought is always to keep the ball as opposed to forcing a creative pass whilst maintaining the optimal balance of trying to be progressive & retaining possession.
That aspect of his game will help Arsenal sustain attacks and pressure against low blocks whilst also ensuring they have control of the game because he’s secure within his technical actions.
This is exactly what they need amidst the directness of their other attackers...
This is exactly what they need amidst the directness of their other attackers...
Rice will primarily drop and operate at the base of Arsenal's left-hand side combinations because that's where he's most comfortable.
Here he will focus on circulating play as discussed, but he will also break lines and play creative passes where possible.
Here he will focus on circulating play as discussed, but he will also break lines and play creative passes where possible.
Rice can also strike through the ball on both feet.
He’s no Kevin De Bruyne, but he doesn’t need to be. He is merely one of many goal contributors in Arsenal’s team, and his ball-striking on both feet means he's a threat from long range AND via crossing.
He’s no Kevin De Bruyne, but he doesn’t need to be. He is merely one of many goal contributors in Arsenal’s team, and his ball-striking on both feet means he's a threat from long range AND via crossing.
Most of Rice's goals will come attacking the box from deep, though. That's how Granit Xhaka's output exploded at Arsenal.
Arsenal sustain pressure, combine, and create chances like few others.
Rice will have many chances to attack the box from deep.
Arsenal sustain pressure, combine, and create chances like few others.
Rice will have many chances to attack the box from deep.
Rice is a better all-round attacker than Granit Xhaka, but what separates the pair is his ability in the 1st and 2nd phase. Xhaka is very one-footed and has limited angles to operate in as a result of that.
Rice doesn’t have that issue. He has a deceivingly fluid turning radius.
Rice doesn’t have that issue. He has a deceivingly fluid turning radius.
The sheer fact that he’s right footed will also enable him to open up more of the pitch for himself when receiving in the left #8 because Xhaka’s natural tendency was to turn onto his left foot which limits the entire far side of the pitch.
Rice will be more comfortable turning.
Rice will be more comfortable turning.
This quality is what resulted in Arsenal losing control against the elites last season.
Pep’s City had guys like Bernardo Silva and Gündoğan who could turn on a dime and offered pass volume and technical security that Granit Xhaka couldn’t match in the highest quality games.
Pep’s City had guys like Bernardo Silva and Gündoğan who could turn on a dime and offered pass volume and technical security that Granit Xhaka couldn’t match in the highest quality games.
Declan Rice, though, can do that.
So, although Rice may not come across as the most obvious #8 in the world, it is absolutely a role where he can excel in and enable Arsenal to reach the next level.
That's also without considering his unbelievable defensive qualities!
So, although Rice may not come across as the most obvious #8 in the world, it is absolutely a role where he can excel in and enable Arsenal to reach the next level.
That's also without considering his unbelievable defensive qualities!
In most of the clips above Rice was the player making the initial interception himself due to his huge frame, freakish athleticism, gangly legs, & ability to hold onto the ball upon intercepting it. Watch how he defends in a deep 4-4-2 & presses high below.
Not only is he an elite defender when defending in the 4-4-2 block or when pressing high, but he's also capable of carrying, attacking space, or playing penetrative passes..
Arsenal's transitional qualities will propel on AND off the ball with Declan Rice in midfield.
Arsenal's transitional qualities will propel on AND off the ball with Declan Rice in midfield.
Look, it's not necessarily clear where Arteta will play Declan Rice, and it could even be a combination of the #6 and the #8, but Arsenal are signing a player who is arguably already the best #6 in the world and someone who has potential to be a world class #8.
He's so unique.
He's so unique.
I'm unsure if there is another single pivot in world football who could also excel in the #8 role, let alone possess TOP potential there.
Oh and he never gets injured and first captained West Ham at 19, and he's still only 24!
Declan Rice is destined for greatness at Arsenal 🛑
Oh and he never gets injured and first captained West Ham at 19, and he's still only 24!
Declan Rice is destined for greatness at Arsenal 🛑
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