“Standing Still” – Declan Rice On The Main Detail He’s Learnt From Mikel Arteta

By The Editor
on 16th August 2023

Declan Rice loves the details in Mikel Arteta’s coaching…

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice waxed lyrical on Mikel Arteta’s coaching methods and said he’s amazed by how much detail the Spaniard delves into, TNT Sports reports.

Speaking before our opening Premier League game against Nottingham Forest, Rice told Rio Ferdinand that he’s been blown away by the level of professionalism and detailed training at London Colney.

The 24-year-old arrived in north London to revitalise the midfield and his first few appearances have seen him play slightly ahead of Thomas Partey, a position Granit Xhaka used to operate in.

Rice admitted that he needed time to adjust to the complex nature of the system Arteta has implemented and even sought extra analysis sessions with the coaching staff.

Despite all the intricate details of Arteta’s philosophy, the former West Ham skipper listed one surprising quality he’s attempting to perfect under the boss.

“You see the way City play, even Arsenal last year. Inverting the full-backs, knowing my position as a midfielder,” Rice said when asked to explain Arteta’s tactics.

“Standing still and supporting third-man’s, if I’m playing as a No.8, staying high in the pocket.

“Standing still? People don’t realise that standing still frees you up so much. As a player, you’re so eager to run around and get the ball, whereas sometimes you can just stand there and wait.”

While Rice can anchor the midfield on his own, seeing him adding the attacking part to his game and galloping into the box is a sight to behold.

The England international could’ve found the net on his debut were it not for Matt Turner’s smart save onto the post, though one imagines his first goal isn’t too far.