Declan Rice says Mikel Arteta has done something that has made him much better this season

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Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta has made a change to his role this season at Arsenal, which is getting the best out of him.

The Gunners have enjoyed an excellent start to the new campaign, winning eight of their first ten matches across all competitions, conceding just three goals in the process.

The North Londoners now sit pretty at the top of the Premier League, and Rice’s excellent recent form has certainly contributed to this.

The midfielder enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 season, but looks to have gone up another level once again this term.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Declan Rice says his role has changed this season

Rice scored nine goals and registered ten assists across all competitions for Arsenal last season.

This output came as a direct result of Arteta tasking him with playing high up the pitch and regularly breaking into the box with late runs.

While he was largely exceptional in this role, the England international occasionally looked awkward in tight spaces against low blocks.

Arteta clearly recognised this deficiency in the player’s game and has looked to rectify it by altering his role this term.

Rice was outstanding against Newcastle and West Ham before the international break, with this change clearly paying dividends.

Speaking to the media after England’s game against Wales at Wembley on Thursday night, the 26-year-old explained how his new role suits him.

“I think now I’m more of a box-to-box number eight,” he said.

“I think the manager [Mikel Arteta] has adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year. It gives me more freedom to drop deeper but also get in the box when I can, and it’s the same with Thomas [Tuchel].

“I think that really suits me, being on the left side of midfield, being able to get back and be an all-round action midfielder is what I want to be. I’m just enjoying my football and yeah, it’s another season where we’ve started strong with England and as a team at Arsenal.”

Declan Rice is dovetailing nicely with Martin Zubimendi at Arsenal

Rice and Martin Zubimendi have formed a brilliant partnership at Arsenal this season.

The Gunners brought the Spaniard in to sit alongside the Englishman in the middle of the park at the Emirates, and the new signing has arguably facilitated the role change.

Zubimendi’s predecessors weren’t capable of operating in more advanced areas or doing anything other than stationing themselves in front of the back four due to their lack of athleticism.

This meant that Rice had to occupy more advanced areas, which didn’t suit him. Now, he has an athletic and positionally flexible Zubimendi, who can push forward and vacate deeper space for Rice to fill.

This combination has unlocked new possibilities for the Gunners in their build-up, and it’s certainly working so far, as shown by the results.