Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes that Mikel Arteta used Declan Rice in very ‘weird’ role against Sevilla in the Champions League. Henry was more focused on Rice in his analysis despite Gunners winning the game 2-1. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli sealed the win for the Premier League side. Declan started in the left-side of the midfield with Jorginho in the no.6 role. Though, the England international had an outstanding game. He was all over the field, winning the midfield, charging the ball forward. However, Thierry Henry had a deeper analysis of Declan’s game.
Speaking on CBS Sports, he said,
“He had a weird role on the night Declan Rice as he was low to build up and high to press. We talk about an offensive balance and you have a 2-3-5 with Ben White on the side and the two holding as Jorginho and Declan Rice but there is something very interesting.
“When White goes, Saka has to stay and keep the shape of that offensive balance which Sevilla didn’t deal with. Saka keeps the structure of the team, Odegaard comes but he will never go high unless they switch.
“Off the ball, he [Rice] plays as a 10 because he has an eye on their holding midfielder, they wanted to make sure the two holding were never going to be on the ball.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said,
“He is the centre forward, forget he is Declan Rice. So when you talk about a complete midfield player, he is the highest person to press and the deepest player to build.”
Henry replied,
“That’s why Mikel Arteta went to get him because he can do so much for you, off the ball and on the ball.”
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