Gary Neville says Declan Rice ‘can’t’ do one thing well enough for Arsenal in shock claim

Now, Manchester United legend Gary Neville has stated something unexpected regarding Declan Rice, an Arsenal midfielder, and his limitations.

Declan Rice, an Arsenal player, has been one of the league’s best players this year.

Rice would win Player of the Season over Manchester City’s Phil Foden, according to recent admissions made by former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew.

The 25-year-old left West Ham United to arrive at the Emirates Stadium during the most recent summer transfer window. He started out strong for the Gunners and hasn’t looked back since, earning a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league during his time in East London.

Rice was a competent No. 6 when he joined Mikel Arteta’s team. However, he has now demonstrated that he is much more than that and that he can have an impact on both ends of the field.

Rice was encouraged to take on a more senior role by Arteta. With seven goals and ten assists in all competitions, the England player is currently having the best goal-scoring season of his career.

Rice has been used primarily as a No. 8 in the second half of the season, with Jorginho or Thomas Partey positioned behind him in the middle of the Arsenal midfield trio, protecting the back four.

Rice’s current goal is to become the world’s best box-to-box midfielder. Gary Neville concurs that this is the area in which he should concentrate.

Declan Rice, an Arsenal star, receives unexpected criticism from Gary Neville.

In his own Premier League team of the season selection, the pundit selected Rice. He was careful to clarify, though, that he likes the player in a more offensive role.

The former full-back said on Sky Sports: “Partey or Jorginho have had to step in at position [#6], and Rice is not that position. That’s been established this season.” Rice is better on the left [as a #8], but he isn’t very good at that position [#6]. That’s what Mikel Arteta has proven.

Declan Rice is a fantastic football player, and his improvement as a player has been amazing, but I don’t think he can play in that position with true discipline. That position [#6] requires a different level of intelligence.

Declan Rice enjoying extra freedom afforded him at Arsenal

To be honest, it is harsh to claim that Rice, when he plays a more defensive role, lacks discipline. Whether playing for West Ham, Arsenal, or England, he has demonstrated time and time again throughout his career that he is an excellent defensive-midfielder who is committed to stopping the opposition’s attacks.

It is true, though, that since being let loose farther up the field, he appears to have elevated his game. He is now somewhat free of those defensive duties, allowing him to play more freely and express himself.

Given that Partey and Jorginho are nearing the end of their careers, Arteta’s current task is to figure out how to reassemble the Arsenal midfield around Rice.