Improving Arsenal’s Title Chase: The Impact of Rice
When Arsenal made the decision to sign Declan Rice from West Ham for a hefty £100m last summer, there were doubts about whether the Gunners had overspent. However, as the season has progressed, those doubts have been silenced, and Rice has emerged as a key player in Arsenal’s title chase.
Rice’s performances in a more attacking position have been nothing short of brilliant, helping to propel Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with just 10 games remaining. This Sunday, he faces his biggest test yet as Arsenal travel to face title rivals Manchester City, who were also in the running to sign Rice last summer. City had a bid of £90m rejected, and now they will have to face Rice on the opposing side.
Last season, Arsenal found themselves in a similar position after 28 games, sitting at the top of the table. However, they eventually fell away and missed out on the title. This year, with Rice in their ranks, Arsenal will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that disappointment.
So, what exactly has Rice changed at Emirates Stadium this season? Well, there have been two significant changes in Arsenal’s personnel compared to last year. In goal, David Raya has replaced Aaron Ramsdale, and in midfield, Rice and fellow summer signing Kai Havertz have formed a strong partnership with Martin Odegaard.
Rice has started every Premier League game since his arrival at Arsenal, becoming an integral part of the team. His passing accuracy, at 91%, is the third-best among midfielders in the top six teams. Only Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma and Manchester City’s Rodri have a higher passing accuracy. Furthermore, Rice has carried the ball upfield more times than any other central midfielder apart from Rodri.
Under Rice’s influence, Arsenal have seen improvements in their attacking and defensive play. They are creating more chances and scoring more goals while conceding fewer chances and goals per game compared to last season. These improvements have contributed to their current position at the top of the league, although they only hold a one-point lead over Liverpool and Manchester City.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has hailed Rice as a “complete midfielder” who can dominate the key midfield battleground. He believes Rice’s presence will be crucial when Arsenal face Manchester City, as he can match up to City’s Rodri. Should Arsenal go on to win the title, the signing of Rice will be seen as one of the most important in the club’s history.
Alan Shearer also praised Rice’s impact, stating that he has been the standout signing of the summer. Shearer believes that Rice has made Arsenal more solid defensively while adding a touch of bite to their midfield. Additionally, Rice’s performances on the ball have been top-class.
Rice’s role has changed this season, thanks to playing in a better team and being given a more attacking role. He is having more touches in central attacking positions and has already surpassed his previous records in terms of goals and assists. Rice has embraced his new role and has become one of Arsenal’s set-piece specialists.
The 22-year-old midfielder has shown improvement in both his defensive and attacking statistics compared to last season. His defensive contributions, such as possession won and interceptions, were higher last year, while his attacking stats, such as shots and touches in the opposition box, have increased this campaign.
Rice’s development has not gone unnoticed by England manager Gareth Southgate, who recently named him captain for the national team and awarded him his 50th cap. Southgate praised Rice’s improvement in his advanced role and acknowledged his scoring ability.
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League title, Declan Rice’s impact cannot be understated. His presence in midfield has provided stability and creativity, and his performances have been a key factor in Arsenal’s success this season. Whether Arsenal can hold on to their top spot and secure the title remains to be seen, but Rice’s contribution will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their pursuit of glory.