How Arteta addressed ‘biggest problem’ to ensure Arsenal don’t ‘crumble’ in title race

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Former Chelsea full-back Mario Melchiot has now given his verdict on how Mikel Arteta was able to solve one issue in his Arsenal squad.

The summer signing of Declan Rice has added steel to Arsenal.

The Gunners paid a club-record £105 million fee to prise the midfielder away from West Ham United in the recent summer transfer window. Many Arsenal fans are already convinced that Rice was worth every penny.

The 25-year-old has rapidly established himself as a star player at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta has certainly been impressed by what he has seen from the England man. Arteta has even tipped Rice to be an Arsenal captain in the future. 

Rice has made the north London club far harder to break down on the pitch. He is a physically imposing presence in the middle of the park, and his tireless running ability allows him to patrol vast swathes of the pitch, protecting the Gunners’ rearguard.

In recent weeks, the Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own. As much as the goalkeeper or any member of the back four, Rice deserves credit for this. Week in, week out, he dominates the midfield zone, snapping into tackles, breaking up potential counter-attacks, pressing relentlessly, and driving his team forward when he has the ball at his feet.

Declan Rice taking Arsenal to the next level

Mario Melchiot believes that Rice has made such a difference at Arsenal because they suffered with a softness in midfield last season. Speaking on ESPN FC, the Dutchman said, “I think what Arteta did really well, he just took a couple of things that he really needed to get his team. Like, you highlighted Rice, okay what was the biggest problem you would say last season? He was missing, kind of like, a person in his team that could carry anything, whatever happens to his team, ‘I’m ready to take it on.’ A sense of responsibility.” 

“At this time last season, they started to crumble, and now they have that strength in the middle. Even if, whatever happens now, you know sometimes he has a flop, because he’s also from West Ham stepping up to Arsenal – it is a step up for him – but it doesn’t matter. He can handle it.”

Arteta, sporting director Edu, and the rest of the Arsenal hierarchy deserve credit for taking the plunge and signing Rice. They could so easily have been spooked by his price tag, but they knew he was the man they needed to take the team to the next level, and had the courage of their convictions enough to put their money on the table.

Rice himself ought to commended for making the step up to life at Arsenal with such grace, without letting his price tag weigh too heavily upon him.

If Arsenal are able to go on to win the Premier League title this season then the signing of Rice and his subsequent performance levels will have played a huge part in that success.