Declan Rice was arguably Arsenal’s best player in the 2024/25 season.
The Englishman had an outstanding campaign in the middle of the park, and he produced several incredible performances for the Gunners.
Rice’s most memorable display came against Real Madrid in the Champions League. He scored two stunning free-kicks in the same game and helped Arsenal beat the Galacticos.
Every Arsenal fan is convinced that Rice will become even better next season, but an ESPN pundit has claimed that the midfielder will suffer for one reason.
Steve Nicol explains why Declan Rice will be weaker at Arsenal next season
Declan Rice was given a more advanced role by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal last term.
The former West Ham man thrived with the added freedom and directly contributed to 19 goals in all competitions. That is a fantastic return for a midfielder.
The reason why Arteta was able to use Rice further up the pitch was Thomas Partey’s availability throughout the season.
The Ghana international had no issues with injuries, and his presence as a number six allowed Rice to thrive in a box-to-box role.
However, Partey is set to leave Arsenal now after talks over a new deal have stalled between the two parties. His exit could be confirmed when his contract expires at the end of this month.
Steve Nicol cannot understand how Arsenal haven’t tied Partey down to a new deal, and he feels that the Ghanaian’s departure will hurt Rice more than anyone else.
He said on ESPN FC: “What would it mean for Declan Rice? It seems to me that Declan Rice is probably going to be the one who suffers most out of this because he’s going to have to drop deep.
“Declan Rice, last year, in my opinion, pushed himself from being a defensive midfielder who won the ball, got it back and gave it to others, to a guy who was actually carrying the ball forward, getting in the opposition’s penalty box and creating problems. So, I think I think he’s going to be affected more than anybody else.
“And I don’t understand it. Thomas Partey last year was absolutely one of the defensive rocks that the team has been built on over Arteta’s years.
“So, for them to lose him, that that means that means – a team that in my opinion needed one spot up front, put all your money into that position, that’s the spot that can maybe win you the Premier League, to now, they’re going to have to use some of that money to replace Partey if they don’t re-sign him.
“So, every which way you look, it weakens Arsenal, it weakens them from the Declan Rice point of view, it weakens them from a financial point of view, it weakens them being able to go and spend a lot of money on a centre-forward, and ultimately it weakens them defensively.”
Thomas Partey leaving will not affect Declan Rice – here’s why
Partey leaving would be a bit of a blow, but it’s definitely not the end of the world for Arsenal.
The former Atletico Madrid man played really well for large parts of last season, and he offered the security that the backline needed.
However, Partey leaving doesn’t mean Rice will be pushed back to a number six role – Martin Zubimendi is joining Arsenal to replace the Ghanaian there.
The Real Sociedad star is better than Partey, and we expect him to make Arsenal even stronger than they were last season.
That is why Rice will continue doing what he did last season in his number eight role.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
