Declan Rice has become one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League this season, with praise coming from pundits, teammates and his manager. The Arsenal midfielder was named player of the match as the Gunners beat Liverpool on Sunday, and he has been one of the standout performers as Arsenal have stormed to the top of the table.
Rice already has five assists in the league this season, the most of any player. All five have come from open play, after Mikel Arteta changed his role.
Since joining Arsenal in 2023, the 27-year-old has been involved in 55 goals, scoring and assisting. That is an underrated return for a player whose energy is so often cited as his main strength.
A new role and a new challenge
Arteta told Rice at the start of the season that he was no longer the “lighthouse”, the nickname the manager had given him. Arteta said he expected more from the midfielder this season. The manager has promised to reveal Rice’s new nickname at the end of the campaign, but the conversation clearly made an impression.
Rice referred to that talk after the Liverpool win. “The way I’ve started this season is the position that suits me the most,” he said. “I’ve played in eight, I’ve played six, I’ve played everywhere in midfield. But what suits me the best and the conversation I had with the manager at the start of the season, I’ve done well but he believes I can still do more and he’s drilled that into me.”
He added: “This season I’ve really tried to attack that part going forward, trying to come up with assists, create chances, create moments. But being behind the ball as well, linking the play, being involved with all aspects for me is my best position. Whatever the manager decides, I’ll do.”
Managing the workload
Rice has said he prefers to play three games a week to find a rhythm across a season. After 55 games for Arsenal last season, neural hamstring pain and a World Cup run to the semi-finals with England, however, the number of matches began to take its toll.
This season, the signing of Bruno Guimaraes has allowed Rice to rest for EFL Cup games. England also rested him during the last international break.
Praise from all sides
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called Rice “world class” after his latest dominant display. “He’s one of the best midfield players Arsenal have ever had,” Carragher said. “They’ve obviously had some great ones. He’s right up there with the best of them. He’s the best midfield player in the Premier League by a long way. It’s not even a debate.”
Kai Havertz said that “90%” of his winning goal against Liverpool belonged to Rice, pointing to the energy Rice showed and the quality of the ball he played to assist the German.
A more fluid midfield
Arsenal’s midfield has rotated more this season, and opposition managers have spoken about how difficult it is to defend against. Rice has sometimes anchored the base of the midfield. With Guimaraes in the squad, and with Myles Lewis-Skelly playing alongside him, Rice has also been free to push into higher positions.
Rice has started every Premier League and Champions League game so far, helping Arsenal make a strong start to the season.
Contract talks
Talks over a new contract are ongoing. Arteta said Rice “wants to continue here for the long term and it will be a matter of time when we resolve that”.