Declan Rice, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest central midfielders, has transformed his game since joining Arsenal from West Ham in 2023. The £105 million signing has evolved from a traditional holding midfielder into a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, cementing his role as a pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

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From Holding Midfielder to Box-to-Box Dynamo

When Rice arrived at Arsenal, he initially operated as a more conventional defensive midfielder. However, after a winter training camp in January 2024, Arteta shifted him into a box-to-box role, giving Rice the freedom to contribute to both defensive duties and attacking plays.

This tactical change paid immediate dividends: Rice recorded nine goals and ten assists in his debut season, marking a career-best in goal contributions and highlighting his ability to influence games at both ends of the pitch.

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Zubimendi Signing Elevates Rice’s Role

Arsenal strengthened their midfield further in the summer of 2025, signing Martin Zubimendi from Spain for £60 million. Zubimendi’s presence has allowed Rice to adopt a deeper starting position while still exploiting his incredible running power to join attacks.

This pairing has enabled Rice to:

• Lead Arsenal in total ball carries (147)
• Play the most passes into the box (57)
• Create the most chances, tied with Bukayo Saka (13)

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira described Rice as a “complete midfielder,” acknowledging his versatility and tactical intelligence.

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Tactical Adaptations and Attacking Freedom

Arsenal’s tactical evolution this season has seen the team play more directly and attack through defensive lines faster. Rice now starts deeper alongside Zubimendi, yet his role allows him to advance into attacking zones efficiently.

A recruitment specialist told BBC Sport:

“The arrival of Zubimendi hasn’t changed what Rice can do; it has given him more freedom to be an all-rounder. He excels in attacking phases while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. His athleticism, precision, and ability to dictate the tempo make him a commanding presence in midfield.”

Rice’s influence is evident in his goal against West Ham, where he arrived late in the box to finish Arsenal’s opener in a 2-0 win, showcasing his timing and attacking intelligence.

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Impact on the England National Team

Rice’s transformation at Arsenal has mirrored his role for England under Thomas Tuchel. Freed from a purely defensive role, Rice operates further forward while Elliot Anderson covers the number six position.

Rice reflected on the change after England’s 3-0 win over Wales:

“It doesn’t bother me. I think now I’m more of a box-to-box number eight. The manager [Arteta] has adjusted my position at Arsenal to give me freedom to drop deeper and get in the box when I can. It really suits me.”

Tuchel’s and Arteta’s confidence has allowed Rice to flourish, blending defensive solidity with attacking creativity.

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Recognition from Rival Teams

Rival Premier League analysts have noticed Rice’s evolving role. One commented:

“Arsenal are now effectively operating a hybrid 4-2-3-1 in build-ups. Rice starts deeper but joins attacks in the left-side pocket, creating a 3-2-5 shape in possession. His ability to contribute to both defensive coverage and attacking overloads makes him a threat against any top team.”

Rice’s tactical intelligence, work rate, and versatility make him a nightmare for opponents and a key reason for Arsenal’s impressive start this season.

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Arsenal’s Strong Start in 2025-26

Arsenal’s performances have mirrored Rice’s individual growth:

• 8 clean sheets in 11 matches
• Only 3 goals conceded
• 1 defeat, sitting three points clear at the top of the Premier League

With three consecutive second-place finishes in the league, Arteta aims to go one step further this season, and Rice’s all-round contributions will be central to achieving Arsenal’s title ambitions.

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Conclusion: Declan Rice as the Premier League’s Modern Midfielder

Declan Rice has seamlessly transitioned from a defensive midfielder to a modern all-round midfielder, influencing both Arsenal and England. His combination of athleticism, tactical intelligence, attacking threat, and defensive discipline cements his status as one of the league’s most complete players.

As Arsenal push for the title and Rice continues to evolve, the midfielder’s career trajectory signals that his best years are yet to come.