Arsenal return to action in the Premier League on Saturday evening as the Gunners travel to Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta is preparing his side for a showdown on the South Coast when domestic football resumes on match day eight of the league season.
Several Arsenal players are preparing to return from international duty, with some stealing the headlines during the break in play.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are reported to have suffered injuries, while Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have been on the scoresheet for their respective nations.
- READ MORE: Every Arsenal player on international duty during the October break including who and when they play
Declan Rice could be involved in surprise Arsenal change vs Bournemouth
Rice in particular is really enjoying his international football at present, having contributed to three goals in his previous four games for England.
Arteta will be impressed by what he’s seen from the midfielder when representing the Three Lions and now, the manager should be inspired by making a small tweak to how he utilises the £105m man.
For England, Rice has featured on the right side of central midfield, something that hasn’t been seen at Arsenal for some time, as Arteta fields the Englishman on the left side.
Such hasn’t worked sufficiently for Rice this season, with the former West Ham captain not performing as effectively as he did in his first year or, as well as he does for his country.
As a result, the boss should be inclined to position the 25-year-old on the right side of central midfield, where the 2023 arrival has proven he can make an impact in the final third.
Roy Keane’s previous comments about Rice
The shift in role could not only benefit Rice, but Arsenal as a whole too, with the midfielder showing his capability on that side when playing for the Three Lions.
Two goals and an assist in his previous four appearances for England should be enough to convince Arteta that change is necessary.
Not only could the manager increase the output of Rice, but the Spaniard could also assist his player in leaving one pundit very red faced.
The Englishman’s performances have been criticised by Roy Keane over the years, seeing the Manchester United icon unleash a scathing rant towards him prior to his move to the Emirates.
Keane said in 2023 that Rice ‘needs to do a lot more’, calling on the central midfielder to contribute more in the final third.
“He doesn’t score enough goals, he doesn’t get enough assists, he needs to do more in every aspect.
“Sometimes he’s just going through the motions. Playing it sideways, backwards, taking the easy option. He needs to do a lot more to match up with the other top midfielders.”
Playing on the right side of central midfield suits Rice down to a tee, as the Englishman has been showing on international duty.
The 25-year-old made Keane blush when he scored against Ireland during the September break, a fixture that saw the Arsenal star thrive going forward.
Arteta has the blueprint to get Rice ticking in red and white, which he could do against Bournemouth to hand the £105m sensation the keys to further embarrass the pundit and offer more to his team offensively.
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