Arteta's adjustments unlock Declan Rice as Arsenal climb Premier League

Declan Rice was named player of the match as Arsenal beat Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, after the club altered his role under manager Mikel Arteta. The 27-year-old has five league assists so far this season — the most of any player — and has been a key figure as Arsenal have stormed to the top of the table.

Rice, who joined Arsenal in 2023, has contributed 55 goals through scoring and assists since his arrival at the club. Arteta said he had a talk with Rice at the beginning of the season and told him he is no longer Arsenal's "lighthouse" — a name he had given him — and that he expected more this season; Arteta added he will reveal Rice's new nickname at the end of the season. Reflecting on that conversation after the Liverpool win, Rice said: "The way I've started this season is the position that suits me the most. 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."

Arteta's repositioning has coincided with Rice providing all five of his league assists from open play this season, the club say, after the manager changed his role. The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and the presence of Myles Lewis-Skelly have allowed Arsenal's midfield to rotate more and for Rice to occupy higher positions at times, while opponents have repeatedly commented on the difficulty of defending against Arsenal's midfield rotation.

Rice has previously said he prefers playing three games a week to find a rhythm, but after starting 55 matches for Arsenal last season he suffered neural hamstring pain and felt the toll of England's World Cup run to the semi-finals. This campaign, the signing of Bruno Guimaraes has allowed Rice to be rested for EFL Cup fixtures and he was also rested by England during the most recent international break.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described Rice as "world class" and added: "He's one of the best midfield players Arsenal have ever had. 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." Team-mate Kai Havertz credited Rice for his decisive contribution at Liverpool, saying "90%" of his winning goal belonged to Rice.

Rice has started every Premier League and Champions League match so far this season, a continuity that has contributed to Arsenal's strong opening run in both competitions. At times he has anchored the midfield base; at others he has been given licence to push forward and link play higher up the pitch.

Contract talks are ongoing between club and player, with Arteta saying Rice "wants to continue here for the long term and it will be a matter of time when we resolve that", leaving the extension process as the next significant development to follow.