Arsenal ‘beast’ now tipped to steal key role away from Kai Havertz

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Former Premier League midfielders Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe have now given their verdict on Arsenal star Declan Rice.

Declan Rice has been a revelation for Arsenal since they spent a club record fee of £105 million to secure his services from West Ham United in the recent summer transfer window. 

The 24-year-old has settled in to life at the Emirates Stadium quickly, proving that he can have an impact at both ends of the pitch. He has scored two goals and provided two assists for the north London club, whilst remaining a rock-solid defensive presence in the middle of the park. 

Mikel Arteta will be delighted with what Rice has contributed so far. The only riddle that remains for the Spanish coach his how best to utilise the England international’s talents.

At the base of the midfield, Rice can be relied upon to protect the Arsenal rearguard. However, in the slightly more advanced ‘left-eight’ role, with either Jorginho or Thomas Partey playing behind him, Rice is able to impose himself in the final third.

Arteta deployed Rice in this left-eight role against Newcastle United on Saturday. Both Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe felt that this was a wise decision.

Declan Rice ahead of Kai Havertz in race for key Arsenal role

Discussing Rice on The 2 Robbies podcast, Earle said, “Declan Rice is a beast…he’s a football beast…his energy is incredible.”

Mustoe backed the former West Ham man to make the left-eight position has own at Arsenal, stating, “I think that is going to be his role, the Granit Xhaka/meant-to-be-Kai Havertz role, the left-side of that three in midfield. They wish they could have two Declan Rices. They want a number 8 Declan and they want a number 6 Declan, because he can do both.”

Following the summer sale of Granti Xhaka, Kai Havertz was indeed signed to take up that left-eight berth. However, the £65 million former Chelsea man has struggled to make an impression at the Emirates Stadium so far. 

Whilst some Arsenal fans were impressed with what Havertz offered in the middle of the park against the Magpies last time out, there is no denying that he has underperformed in an attacking sense. If Rice does now nail down the left-eight position, Havertz may find that his chance to establish himself at Arsenal has already passed him by.