Cesc Fabregas has explained where Declan Rice has improved the most since his club-record transfer to Arsenal, but outlined how Mikel Arteta can still get more out of him.
The Gunners broke the bank to sign Rice from West Ham United in July and take the engine room at Emirates Stadium to another level. Arteta instantly established the 24-year-old as a key part of his plans, as well. He has started in 11 of Arsenal’s 12 matches so far this season.
Arteta has only been without Rice as Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 in the Carabao Cup after his back injury against Tottenham Hotspur. The Spaniard had to take the 45-cap England ace off at half-time in the north London derby. It was the first time ever that an injury forced Rice off.
Fabregas believes Arteta can get even more out of Rice at Arsenal
Rice had already proven and continues to prove why Arsenal spent £100m, rising to £105m, to sign him this summer. The West Ham product left London Stadium as one of the Premier League’s elite holding midfielders. Arteta is now relishing his incredible ball-winning talents.
But former Arsenal captain, Fabregas, believes Arteta can get even more out of Rice. He has taken stock of how the £240k-a-week anchor has developed his ability with the ball in north London. Fabregas now feels some of Rice’s skill goes absent when in a strict defensive role.
“Rice’s physicality allows him to cover so much of the pitch that sometimes, as a lone No6, you lose a big part of his capabilities, especially physically,” Fabregas told Premier League Productions, via quotes by 90min. “He has grown with the ball.
“I think he is capable of giving final balls now, even to go to the edge of the area like Rodri. We have seen him a couple of times, edge of the box, Champions League finals and scored the goals. Rice has that talent, as well.”
Rice is among the Gunners’ most active attacking players this term
Rice left West Ham having scored just 15 goals and offered 13 assists over 245 appearances in all competitions. He has also offered England three goals and zero assists from 45 caps so far. While Arsenal relished Rice’s only goal in red to date to help beat Manchester United 3-1.
The ex-Republic of Ireland prospect gave the Gunners a 2-1 lead in the 96th minute over the Red Devils. Rice proved his increasing confidence to shoot on the turn and got a slice of luck as the ball squirmed under Andre Onana. But Rice has not taken many shots so far this term.
Per WhoScored, Rice has only attempted nine shots through his 11 matches for Arsenal with eight in the Premier League. He has also only directed four on target, all of which have come in top-flight games. Yet Rice is sixth for total shots and fourth for on-target shots for Arsenal.
Only Martin Odegaard (10), Bukayo Saka (9) and Gabriel Martinelli (5) have fired more shots on target in Premier League fixtures for Arsenal than Rice this term. The midfielder has even directed more on target than Eddie Nketiah (3/18), Gabriel Jesus (3/7) and Kai Havertz (1/9).
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