At Arsenal, a team with a rich history of players whose performances often determine the club’s fortunes, there was a lot of skepticism in the summer of 2023 when Declan Rice joined for £105 million.After all, the price tag was unprecedented in Arsenal’s history.However, after just one season, Rice proved his worth in action.
Rice is not the kind of midfielder who only plays defense.He can help solidify the team’s defense as well as participate in the attack, and even come through in critical moments.His performance not only satisfied the fans, but also made coach Arteta trust him more.Looking at the stats, Rice contributed 14 goals and 18 assists in 94 games, averaging to be involved in scoring once every 238 minutes.Such efficiency is rare for a midfielder who needs to return to defense frequently.
Tactically, Rice has a very versatile role.He can play either as a single back or as a center forward, and is able to adapt to different game tempos and opponent styles.His ability to push forward with the ball ranks in the top 4% of players in the same position in Europe; and his ability to create chances in the game is also in the top 6%.This all-round performance has made him an integral part of Arsenal’s midfield.
What really earned Rice respect was a pair of free-kick breakaways against Real Madrid in the Champions League.Arsenal were already at a disadvantage at the time and were almost knocked out of the competition.But Rice stepped up to the plate and helped his team advance with two brilliant free kicks.This ability to withstand pressure and make decisive contributions in key games is the biggest difference between top stars and ordinary good players.
Looking back at the past few years, Arsenal went through a period of rebuilding.When Arteta took over the team, the team was at a low point.But through reasonable reinforcements and tactical adjustments, they gradually got on the right track.Among them, Rice’s joining is undoubtedly the most important step during this period.Compared to the previous technical players (such as Ozil), Rice brings a more stable and practical style of play.
Ozil was a great player for Arsenal, but gradually lost his starting position in the late stages due to a decline in form and injuries.In contrast, Rice not only has good physical quality and stable form, but also has both offensive and defensive qualities, which can adapt to the increasingly high requirements of modern soccer for midfielders.His presence also made it easier for the rest of the team to play to their strengths.
While players like Martin Ödekel and Gabriel Jesus have their merits, they are often hampered by form or injury.Rice is different, as he has been able to play at a high level in almost every game.Because of this, he became one of the most trusted men on the team.
From a more macro perspective, the signing of Rice is not only to strengthen the squad, but also a signal of Arsenal’s overall strategy change.In the past, Arsenal preferred to play beautiful pass-and-control soccer, but now they are starting to focus on practicality.The addition of Rice fits the bill – he can stabilize the tempo in possession, but also solve problems quickly when the opponent presses.This flexibility gives Arsenal more options against different opponents.
Overall, Declan Rice is not only a successful signing for Arsenal, but also a symbol of the team’s maturity and stability.He has won the hearts of the fans with his performances and has helped the team get back into the title race.In the coming days, as long as he continues to maintain this kind of form, Arsenal has reason to believe that they are not too far away from winning the trophy again.
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