Declan Rice could be left really disappointed now after what Arsenal have just done

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Declan Rice is one of the most important players at Arsenal.

The Gunners signed the England international for a club-record fee in the summer of 2023. He moved to the Emirates from West Ham United and hit the ground running.

Rice, in many people’s eyes, was brought in to play as a defensive midfielder at Arsenal, but most of his appearances for the Gunners over the last year have come as a number eight.

Now, that could become his permanent position at the Emirates, which could leave him a bit disappointed.

Declan Rice’s favourite position could soon belong to someone else at Arsenal

Rice has improved a lot as a number eight at Arsenal.

The 26-year-old scored seven goals and provided 10 assists last season, which was his career-best return, and playing in an advanced role certainly helped with those figures.

However, Rice has previously admitted that his ‘best position’ is as a defensive midfielder.

He told TNT Sports in November 2023: “I think my best position is probably as a number six. That’s where I’m most comfortable. As an eight, I get a bit excited, dribbling with the ball.

“When I’m playing there, my job is to create but that’s not my biggest strength. My biggest strength is breaking up the play and taking the ball from deep and trying to dictate.”

Many people felt that Rice would be pushed back to his favourite number six role next season once Thomas Partey and Jorginho are moved on, but that isn’t going to happen now.

Arsenal are set to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer, and he will be their first-choice number six if that move goes through.

That means Rice will have to accept that his main role in the side will be as a box-to-box midfielder.

What will Martin Zubimendi bring to this Arsenal side?

Partey and Jorginho have their flaws, but they are both still fantastic players.

The Ghana international is among the best in the Premier League on his day in that number six role, and his awareness and ability to drive forward is excellent.

Jorginho, on the other hand, is one of the most intelligent players on the planet. He has the ability to dictate play under any press and also possesses the quality to unlock a defence from deep.

Zubimendi possesses the strengths of both Partey and Jorginho and will instantly take Arsenal’s midfield to the next level.

It’s not a done deal yet, but we are really excited to see Zubimendi in the famous red and white next season.