But who decided to make Rice a box-to-box midfielder?
Rice was once asked if he likes playing as a 8. In response, he said he preferred playing as a 6.
He was brought in as a DM and that's where he should be playing. His two best attributes are making interceptions and ball recoveries. Either you play him or Zubimendi as the 6.
Eze at 8 could work but it's too little too late now as the title race is done now. I've seen enough after 5.5 years.
I have mentioned this numerous times in regards to Arsenal midfield in the 8 and 10 positions. Arteta is more bothered about his number pressing, then he is creating.
In same way he's more bothered about his number 8 winning duals then passing forward and attacking.
Arteta has wasted money on Vieira, havertz, Merino in the left sided 8 position. Once havertz is fit, he will come back into side in that position. Whilst Rice is good at box to box. He's poor at ball progression.
Arteta just cares about controlling ball in midfield, why? Because he's scared of being countered and taken apart like Arsenal were when we bottled 8 point lead in the league.
Regardless of who is in the 6 Partey in the past, zubemendi now, the sub standard players infront or the managers crap tactics means zero creativity. What other options are they? Norgaard.
Arteta made it clear at Anfield he played merino because Odegaard and kai were out. He's got no intention of playing eze, Nwaneri or dowman their from the start in big games.
I said right at start of summer or midfield was one that would make top 4, not win a title.
The managers no different to what Claudia raneri was like at Chelsea.
He's no different to Southgate with England. You have a better manager in charge of Arsenal last 3 years with these players, and we would have won at least 1 if not 2 PL titles. Same goes for England over last 6 years years if Southgate wasn't in charge