If Declan Rice is no longer Arsenal's 'lighthouse', what has he become?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that midfielder Declan Rice has transitioned away from the ball-winning, screen-the-defence 'lighthouse' role he was originally signed to fulfil. The piece examines how Rice's responsibilities have expanded in Arteta's system, covering his distribution, late runs into the box, and growing influence in the final third. It contrasts his early Arsenal months with his more recent, more liberated performances and questions what label now fits his hybrid midfield role.
Read the full story at skysports.comDeclan Rice's evolution at Arsenal is one of the more interesting tactical subplots in the Premier League. Signed for a record fee to anchor the midfield, he has gradually been released from purely defensive duties into a role that blends ball recovery, progressive passing and arriving late in the box. The fact that Arteta himself is publicly reframing the position suggests Arsenal's midfield blueprint is still being written, and Rice's growing attacking output could be a defining feature of their title push.
Context added by Socc360, not by skysports.com.
Data source: skysports.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
More epl stories
Never miss a moment.
Live scores, goal alerts and Live Activities on your Lock Screen — get Socc360 for iOS.