Michail Antonio suggests Mikel Arteta has been using one Arsenal player in the wrong position at times

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Arsenal are just days away from their first pre-season friendly against AC Milan.

Mikel Arteta and his squad have returned from their camp in La Manga in Spain and are preparing to fly to Asia, where they will face the Italian giants.

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle are also on the horizon as the Arsenal squad look to regain their fitness and match sharpness ahead of the quest to win the Premier League title.

With all of the talk over the club signing a new striker this summer and whether Viktor Gyokeres will finally complete his move, Michail Antonio has suggested more of the focus should be on the current squad.

READ MORE: £50m Arsenal player seriously impresses coaches in pre-season training test, he was ‘excellent’

Michail Antonio believes Declan Rice is not a number six at Arsenal

Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘Beast Mode On’ podcast, former teammate Antonio believes that Declan Rice is not a holding midfielder.

Rice began his Arsenal career in that role in front of the back four and that was where many believed his career would be following his £105m move from West Ham.

However, Rice has since advanced to a number eight role and Antonio believes that is the right call, he stated: “When he first came in he was quite nervous, but as he grew into himself, how he can drive forwards with the ball,

“How technically good he is, I always knew he was not a number six, he’s not a number six. He’s quick, he’s fast, always breaking things down. But Dec, Declan is quality.”

Martin Zubimendi will help Rice next season in continuing to learn the creative role he has been given under Arteta, the England midfielder can think about getting forward more knowing the Spaniard is there at the base of midfield.

Declan Rice has to aim for his best goal tally at Arsenal this season

Last season was Rice’s most prolific campaign in his career in front of goal and the 26-year-old must now be looking to go one better.

Rice is on an individual training plan at the start of the pre-season campaign and is being managed so he can enter the new campaign in peak physical condition.

He is still expected on the tour to Asia, where he will be hoping to potentially link up with new signings Gyokeres and England teammate Noni Madueke.

19 goal contributions is his new target and with the qualities that Antonio listed, Arsenal fans will expect to see their record signing deliver once again.