What Declan Rice did against Brighton proves Mikel Arteta was right to highlight Arsenal demand

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Arsenal recorded yet another draw in the Premier League after picking up a point against Brighton.

For the second time this season, Fabian Hurzeler’s side stood in the way of Arsenal earning three points.

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brighton back in August, a game that was fuelled by controversy as Declan Rice was bizarrely sent off.

The return fixture at the Amex was similarly as dramatic, as Brighton were awarded a penalty for a clashing of heads between William Saliba and Joao Pedro.

• READ MORE: Gary Lineker in total agreement with Mikel Arteta over ‘never seen’ penalty in Arsenal vs Brighton draw

Declan Rice was at his best against Brighton

While Hurzeler and Arteta disagreed about the penalty that was awarded by Anthony Taylor, the Arsenal manager must focus on his team’s performance.

The Gunners were below par once again in the Premier League, earning their seventh draw of the season.

As Arsenal tend to their wounds following the draw, Arteta must also study some positives from the game, one of which being several impressive performances.

One player that impressed was Rice, who was incredibly unfortunate to not walk away from the contest with a goal contribution to his name. 

The numbers portray just how good the Englishman was in a more advanced role, being Arsenal’s creator-in-chief in the absence of assist leader, Bukayo Saka.

Signed as a defensive midfielder, Arteta has sculpted Rice into a player able to contribute in all areas of the pitch, as the 2023 arrival displayed against the Seagulls.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old’s influence was unable to crack the code to earn three points against Brighton, but his ongoing form is certainly something to merit.

• READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton – Ethan Nwaneri shines but several stars land low scores in draw 

Rice continues to meet Mikel Arteta’s demand

Rarely has Rice’s £105m price-tag been mentioned, telling of just how good the midfielder has been since his transfer from West Ham.

Despite being a constant in the Arsenal squad, the England international hasn’t escaped receiving pointers, as Arteta made his demands for Rice clear.

Speaking in December, the boss emphasised the importance of Rice being ‘versatile’, hammering home what he needs from the Englishman.

“With the squad that we have, he needs to be versatile, with the qualities that he has, he needs to be versatile. With the brain that he has, versatile. With the age that he has, versatile because he can offer so much to the opponent in relation to the needs in the squad.”

Rice certainly answered Arteta’s wishes against Brighton, being a standout performer in the final third, despite being deployed two steps behind the front line.