Gary Neville has admitted that he was ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s decision to shift Declan Rice to right-back after Ben White’s injury.
White was forced off with an injury following a collision with West Ham winger Crysensio Summerville during the first half.
🤕 Fill in the blank: _________ should start at right-back for Arsenal after Ben White’s injury…
Jurrien Timber remains sidelined!
But instead of doing a like-for-like substitution, Arteta opted to shift Rice to full-back, with Martin Zubimendi coming on for the defender.
It was a strange call from the Spanish manager, and Neville did not agree with the call to move Rice from his natural position.
Gary Neville slams Mikel Arteta’s call to move Declan Rice to right back
Gary Neville has seriously questioned Mikel Arteta’s call to move Declan Rice to right-back during the first half against West Ham.
With Jurrien Timber sidelined due to an injury, the Gunners have been left short at right-back, with Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera their two options.
Mosquera seemed like the obvious option to come on; however, Arteta opted to play Rice at right-back, a decision which Neville has slammed.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ commentary, Neville said: “Declan Rice is going to stay at right-back, I’m stunned actually.
“We’ve just been told there is no evidence of Myles Lewis Skelly playing right back before, but to take Declan Rice out of the midfield of the pitch is a big call.
“I’ve seen Declan Rice there, but I’d be lifted if I were Nuno and West Ham and I saw him go to right back and out of the centre of the pitch. I just would be, naturally.
🤔 Who starts the Champions League final in midfield: Myles Lewis-Skelly or Martin Zubimendi?
“He’ll look back tonight, Ben White and think, ‘What was I doing?’ Sometimes when you get injured, it’s unavoidable, but that one is going into a 50/50 challenge against Summerville, you’ve got to be really strong.”
Later in the half, the former Manchester United defender called for Arteta to switch Rice back in midfield, as the team were losing control in the middle of the pitch.
“Things have changed in this game; the midfield for Arsenal is a little bit more open; that right-hand side isn’t as locked down. I would be thinking about getting Declan Rice back into central midfield,” Neville later added.
“Things are happening that I would not like if I were Mikel Arteta. Zubimendi keeps getting dragged over on the side.”
Rice has played at right-back just once this season during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton at the Emirates Stadium back in December 2025.
Arteta now has a big call whether to stick or twist with his decision to keep the Arsenal vice-captain out of the middle of the pitch.
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