Declan "Deccers" Rice: Page 45 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Declan "Deccers" Rice

IBL

Extremely smart play from Rice. He sees we're outnumbered in defence and he sets himself up best cover the incoming danger areas, once the attacker has that poor touch his reaction is lightning and he's able to take the ball away from him. I honestly don't think you can really coach this stuff, it's pure defensive instinct to position yourself to make yourself as big as possible when overrun like that.

Qwiss

Burnwinter yep, he's waiting for it though. I think his own pace plays a big part, Rice is pretty quick when he's getting back like that, he has the measure of the attacker there so he knows he's going to have to push to get away from him. He matches patience, awareness and reaction speed with his already considerable physical advantage. Its absolutely brilliant defending.

Don Pacifico

I think a few of us have loosely discussed this in various match threads but what's going on with Rice this season? His engine is just not there - looked knackered when he came off at 70 minutes today. Is this just a hangover from an excessive schedule including an international tournament in the summer?

JazzG

Wouldn't be surprising, he's played a lot of games and end of last season he looked totally fucked. Even in the summer he did not look at his best for England.

He's also got a broken toe which is probably not letting him run as freely as he'd like.

This might be controversial but I don't think his partnership with Partey works either....

Burnwinter

Despite getting himself into good form Rice has strayed into "Xhaka mode" as far as his forward contribution's concerned.

I don't mean anything to do with Rice or Xhaka's temperament. It's just that for both players when they took on the 8 role for Arteta, there's been a persistent gap between their high football intelligence and their confidence and commitment when executing their ideas.

Whether it's a rough snap shot from outside the area or a give and go marauding into the area, Rice has all the right ideas but like Xhaka before him he's not fully invested in succeeding with them. He's getting used to things not coming off.

Qwiss

Burnwinter don't agree with that at all. I thought Rice was one of the few bright spots yesterday. We need him getting forward and contributing to the attack more. He managed 16 G&A last season and we need more of that and not just from set pieces.

SimplyThePest

Burnwinter wonder if micromanaging Mik would allow for a bit more of a Fat Frank/Stevie Me-esque approach of shoot on sight for Declan? He himself was partial to the odd long range speculator.

Coombs

Qwiss hes a hindrance not because of his performance, but because of where he's operating and what it necessarily takes away from the forward line. He was quite good, but he's just not a forward.

Qwiss

Coombs well if you move him to 6, especially with so many defenders out, we struggle to get the ball to the forward line so I'm not sure what the better solution is.

Arteta is unlikely to start playing an Odegaard, Rice, Nwaneri style midfield anyway so this is where Rice works best in the current system. He needs to grow as that player and become more dynamic. He wasn't taking any thing away from the front line against Fulham either, we need him up there more. The front line needs him in the box. Of course the front line also needs Havertz in the box but thats another issue.

FEBravo

Think this thread deserves a bump.

Don’t know if he’s back at his physical peak or these open games suit his athleticism better, but I felt he was back to his best, popping up everywhere, intercepting and anticipating danger, and strong running with the ball. That’s good because at 105 mil we need his to step up

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Make him (or big Gab) captain.

JazzG

I think he's talking about you @Sicario2 😉

CPM

It's still a work in progress, and not certain to totally work out, but I'm starting to see Arteta's plan for Rice at left 8. He'll always be a bit limited as a midfielder because he's quite a rigid, 'straight lines' player, not a lot of shiftiness, fluidity, or guile. But when he's at peak fitness he can both cover ground defensively and crash the box, and the same ball-striking that makes him great on corners also makes him a goal threat, provided he can get comfortable in those positions. Great finish today, he can really ping it. And frustrating that he missed that header, but it's good that he's making that run. It's maybe a bit reminiscent of Aaron Ramsey's role for us. He has to keep scoring goals, that's what will make him a £105m player.

flobaba

It’s not rocket science, he’s a box to box midfielder. For 100 mil he ought to be performing like Jude Bellingham.

Gurgen

He's talented enough to play there. The key is the 6. It doesn't work with Partey as his rapist brain is too slow to consistently progress the ball quickly. It works with Jorginho and will also work with Zubimendi.

Claudius

Declan still has another level to unlock. We will see a Vieira level superstar in the coming years. Don't hate me

JazzG

Rice needs to work on this, missed a sitter against Utd and now again.

Qwiss

JazzG Rice needs to work on this, missed a sitter against Utd and now again.

He brought it up himself after the match. Said he was really annoyed because he'd now done it twice and its something he needs to work on. I thought it was a good attitude to the mistake.

I think there has been a significant difference in how Rice is pushing forward and I think its good for him and the team. We need to get more attack from that left 8 position and Rice offers more there than in DM so I'm all for it.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Rice is class.

samthegooner

If we replace Partey/Jorginho with Zubimendi, Rice is going to be a monster next year. He’s really shown me something the last few games. What a player.

Claudius

Qwiss agree with all of this. The big thing is he’s finding himself in advanced areas, and getting onto the end of chances. The goals will follow.

Speaking of which, I’ve been wondering why we commonly think this team is so boring. I keep looking at our numbers. For the last three years, we’ve basically matched or outscored all prior Arsenal teams. So the team scores a ton. I think the difference lies in just how much of the ball we have in advanced areas. And so there is a perception gap. We are near the goal, and our conversion of that that possession into shots doesn’t seem high relative to our positions. But in general, over this period we’ve actually been quite good at generating shots in general. Just a thought.

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