Arsenal’s Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta has altered his position this season, giving him more freedom to roam.
Speaking to the media this week, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice discussed his role for club and country. There’s long been a debate over whether the England international should be a No6 or a No8, but Rice reveals Mikel Arteta has made it clear it will be the latter this season.
“I can play No6 or No8,” Rice began. “I think now I am more of a box-to-box No8.
“The manager has adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year, given me a bit more freedom to drop deep but also get in the box when I can.
“It is the same with Thomas [Tuchel]. I think that really suits me on that left side of midfield. Being able to get back, being an all-round action midfielder is what I want to be and I am just enjoying my football.”
Rice’s freedom to roam has been quite evident this season so far, with no one in the Premier League completing more progressive carries than his 18.
The midfielder has four goal contributions in his first seven league appearances of 2025/26 (six starts), and Arsenal have never looked better at the back, conceding just three times in those seven matches.
The test now is to keep Arsenal’s midfield functioning without Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian international set to miss at least a month of action through injury.
Arsenal have creative midfield options to come in, with summer signing Eberechi Eze and youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. But Eze is generally better on the left, and neither Nwaneri nor Dowman are at the same stages in their development as Odegaard.
It’s a puzzle for Arteta to solve, and it remains to be seen whether Rice’s role will remain the same in the eventual solution.