3 reasons why Mikel Arteta was desperate for Declan Rice

Rice.

<p>His game by numbers is up there with the best defensive midfielders in the league when compared to Rodri or Casemiro. No, he’s not on that level just yet, but there are grounds for optimism for the 24-year-old.</p> <p>There are strong rumours that Granit Xhaka may leave, and it’s been said that <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1666123936248078337">“Arsenal will only sanction a move for Xhaka away from the club once they have a replacement through the door”.</a></p> <p>Is he that replacement? Xhaka has had a renaissance at the Arsenal over the last couple of years but especially last season racking up 16 goals and assists in all competitions. Rice had nine in comparison, but there’s a trait which the Englishman possess that Xhaka just hasn’t been able to equip: progressively carrying the ball. Below is a highlight you probably have seen, but it’s Rice’s superb solo goal against KAA Gent, carrying the ball, with all the pressures of a possible semi-final place on the line. Confidence. If he can bring that to Arsenal, I’m sure many more memories will be created.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="West Ham 4-1 KAA Gent | Hammers Head Into UECL Semi-Final | Europa Conference League Highlights" width="500" height="281" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/s5bSHQWn2HQ?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>Statistically, he’s been impressive. An average of 1.73 interceptions per 90 is in the top fifth percentile compared to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. Arguably, all the best teams have that sort of presence in the middle of the park; a midfielder who personifies the soul of the team. He’s been that for West Ham, but can he be that guy for Arsenal?</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 reason Arteta was desperate for Rice </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_134165" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-134165" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1852,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1485035403-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1852" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1485035403-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1485035403-768x556.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1485035403-1536x1111.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1485035403-2048x1482.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Rice could play in various midfield roles. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>2. An #8 or a #6? Does it matter?</h2> <p>The West Ham captain has mainly started in a defensive midfield position as part of a double pivot at the London Stadium. His <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://www.sofascore.com/player/declan-rice/856714">heat map </a>would also suggest that even though he predominantly roams on the left, it’s in a more defensive position.</p> <p>As mentioned earlier, he’s a potential #8 in the making. His passing stats would simply suit the Arteta style of football, with 6.4 passes into the final third, and 6.6 progressive passes last season. If you compare that to Xhaka, he has 4.4 and 5.8 respectively per 90. You have to also remember that West Ham aren’t a side that has control of possession often either, so those stats could significantly rise if he makes the summer move.</p> <p>As shown below, his brilliant cross-field pass on his weaker foot found his team-mate who slot the ball in. A testament to his all-round abilities.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hammers put four past Bournemouth! | West Ham 4-0 Bournemouth | Premier League Highlights" width="500" height="281" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJ2gLE4oCsI?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>Defensively, he’s a rock in the middle of the park. His seamless transition from being a centre-back to one of the best defensive midfielders illustrates his quality. His capability of winning tackles, slowing attacks down and capacity to counter-press are all traits reminiscent of the best #6’s that have played the game.</p> <p>There have been certain transfers that Arsenal missed out on over the years that left the club with a paging sense of regret. There is real hope with Rice that he could evolve into something special, and that’s worth holding onto.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 reason Arteta was desperate for Rice </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135202" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135202" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1258516914-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1258516914-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1258516914-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1258516914-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1258516914-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Rice led West Ham to Conference League glory. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>3. Future captain in the making?</h2> <p>It takes real courage, drive and tenacity to be released from Chelsea’s academy and still make it to the big leagues. He was released from the club he supported, made it to the West Ham academy and made his professional debut at 18 and captained West Ham’s U23s to Premier League 2.</p> <p>Everyone knows of Declan Rice, and it’s no surprise German powerhouse Bayern Munich had set their sights on him, while Manchester City were willing to spend up to £90m to bring the midfielder to the Etihad. Rice’s preference, however, always seemed to be Arsenal.</p> <p>It shows something is brewing in north London, and people are noticing. <a title="Mikel Arteta hints at which position Kai Havertz will play for Arsenal" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/28/mikel-arteta-hints-position-kai-havertz-will-play-arsenal/" rel="">Kai Havertz </a>decided it was worth switching blue for red, and Jurrien Timber has also made it <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/timber-prefers-arsenal-move-over-bayern-munich_516728.html">clear to Ajax</a> that he wants Arsenal. It’s been a long time since top players have wanted to wear the Arsenal shirt with pride and are willing to turn down other top clubs in favour of them.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="YKfwHBOtMo"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/28/mikel-arteta-hints-position-kai-havertz-will-play-arsenal/">Mikel Arteta hints at which position Kai Havertz will play for Arsenal</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“Mikel Arteta hints at which position Kai Havertz will play for Arsenal” — Pain in the Arsenal" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/29/3-reasons-why-arteta-was-desperate-declan-rice/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/06/28/mikel-arteta-hints-position-kai-havertz-will-play-arsenal/embed/#?secret=zYpouprxKU#?secret=YKfwHBOtMo" data-secret="YKfwHBOtMo" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div> <p>Exciting times lie ahead, and Arsenal fans will hope there’ll be something exciting to lift this time next year.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">