This Rice Quote CONCERNS Me…

The 6 or 8 debate rages on! But do Arsenal need more clarity from their signings going forward?
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[@TheGoonerverse]

Thoughts? Have I got a point? 😅🫶

[@MarkAnthonyUK]

Hi, James. Let me start by saying that you have been putting in work for a long time but you have outdone yourself, lately. I appreciate your meticulous attention to detail when providing your analysis and I tend to agree with you more often than not. You have a point but I disagree. Rice is a great #6, who WILL improve. However, Rice has tools in his locker that would make him a DEVASTATING #8, such as powerful, long-range shooting with pin-point accuracy and long-range passing we don't get to see at Arsenal because he doesn't have to "carry" the team, like he did at West Ham and Arteta is quite strict, tactically. The onus on maintaining possession means taking less risks. Less long range shots. Rice should be hammering that ball toward goal EVERY time he gets it just outside the box. He is actually REALLY good at that and I'm disappointed not to have seen more of that but I've already explained why that is. I would like to bring back Joe Willock from Newcastle to partner Rice in a 2-man Box-To-Box pivot at the base of midfield with Oodegard at #10/CAM. Highly unlikely but Bruno G, Douglas Luiz and even Amadou Onana, I believe could partner Rice in that CM/DM pivot with Rice given more license to roam to go with having some help with the defensive duties or use Willock as a Box-To-Box #8 because that is his natural position and he is class.

[@thierryhenry674]

Build up play has become more important in the modern game. Modern teams are more compact vertically. Which means the distance between their strikers and their defenders are closer. They defend with 11 players forming a block. Therefore, you need 11 creative players to break down that block. That’s why modern defenders and goalkeepers are required to be so much more technical on the ball. In the past, being a goal hanger isn’t that big of a trade off, because your team could still be able to create through a 4 men defence. But nowadays, you can’t afford to be one man down in the build up process because you are facing 11 defenders. This is why modern football has become more “TOTAL”. A striker’s job is not just finishing, but also defending and creating. Otherwise your team would be in a numerical disadvantage in the defensive/build up phase. The same applies to defenders and goalkeepers. Our 8s are actually a 8 10 hybrid role. And our 6 has to dictate play from deep. Rice can’t create like Iniesta/Xavi when he is pushed forward as an 8. And he can’t build up like Busquets when he is playing a deep role.

[@dyce3008]

Kind of. Arteta is always talking about flexibility to win different kinds of games. He also always talks about wanting players who can play multiple positions. At the end of the day we can't know the full set of plans for any player from the outside. I believe we will always have an incomplete picture in that regard. Arteta signed Partey and Rice because of their ability to win the ball and bring us forward, so while positionally Rice was signed to be a 6, Arteta clearly always recognized his potential to play 8. In terms of Raya and Ramsdale. Raya was actually a target before Ramsdale, but at the time we were looking to sign him he renewed with Brentford. Ramsdale was not Arteta's first choice from the beginning. I get your concerns on Rice's role. I think the details of your concerns highlight exactly why we are looking at 6's and 8's. I believe Arteta wants a 6 who can bring us forward and play line breaking passes or an 8 who can carry the ball well and still has a physical presence to help us win the ball. Either one can enable Rice to do more at either 6 or 8. I don't think it's a matter clarity vs flexibilty. I think Arteta is clear that he wants flexibility.

[@thierryhenry674]

@@MarkAnthonyUK Willock and Rice? You don’t want a midfield of FDJ, Kimmich and Odegaard? With Rice on the pitch, the question is, where on the pitch do you want to sacrifice that passing ability? Do you want to lose that in the deeper build up? Or do you want to lose that when we are higher up the pitch.

[@gabe_real11]

Personally, I believe Rice needs to be given a bit of time to develop his attacking instincts and positioning in the advanced role. I think with a bit of time he can be a similar if not better "Xhaka like" fit into Arsenal's attacking options. You also get the bonus of a good ball winning player higher up the pitch if we lose possession.

[@JB88squared]

Rice is clear on his role at Arsenal. His role is whatever the game model requires game by game.

[@GunnerAmhara]

Right? I have no concerns whatsoever about rice at Arsenal.

[@eddietee6305]

Agree. I don't see the fuss here.

[@hillarymutatiina1350]

Same sentiment

[@TheGoonerverse]

That's great to a point but there's a big difference between being a deep midfielder in build-up and getting into the pockets to create and drive at defences, that's why I do actually think next season he needs a slightly more settled position but maybe I'm overthinking it

[@Misfortune-teller]

@@TheGoonerverse think about it, Arteta would never sign a player for 100m just to use him for one season. Rice has also said he prefers the #6 position. But he's so so good at 8. His game will evolve. He's 25.

[@theretrogrill]

Don’t give a flying fuck about England. Only Arsenal. Rice was EXCELLENT for Arsenal.

[@mynumberoneguy]

Neville is shit pot stirring trying to sow seeds of doubt for this upcoming season

[@cmoney4114]

I'm thinking thr same

[@CashMNey]

@@cmoney4114exactly they won’t win shit anyways

[@thebandthatisDAVE]

Agreed! Don’t give a flying fuck about England! Looking forward to new management when I dare take a chance! Declan is being told something he’s not enjoying! Thankfully Benny Blanco see it coming and got the fuck away !

[@izzickk]

​@@CashMNeytrue very true arsenal will remain trophyless as usual

[@Sonareklipse]

Until my eyes tell me that the roles are not well-understood by the players on the pitch, I'm won't be too concerned that we're being overly flexible. The recruiting has been great lately, and I'm not seeing a reason to complain yet. Rice was amazing all year in both spots. The larger British punditry group will and do complain about the dumbest, most miniscule things. It took some time for Havertz to fit in, but ultimately every Arsenal fan will view that signing as a good one. He's earned a spot in the squad for sure. Timber didn't get a chance to show his stuff, but I think he's going to become incredibly important and nailed on to start every week.

[@Ivanovic5580]

Mikel knows what we need and where he sees Declan in the future. Not concerned about it.

[@arsmaster]

This is exactly why I can’t stand the dumbed down 6 vs 8 discussion. There’s a difference between a destroyer and a regista. But many times they are both labeled as 6’s.

[@TheDreamchaser2016]

Yep rice a destroyer and Jorginho a register

[@kunimitsune177]

That's because they ARE both sixes.

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

@@kunimitsune177Lol, wtf do you know other than excuses?

[@MickDarcy]

@@SteveBarrow-lp2ns He's the PL sponge and cringe expert loooool

[@arsenalislife]

Omg, THANK YOU for saying this.

[@jnathvods9297]

while rice can play those line-breaking passes into the half spaces, I think it's a question of if he will make those passes, his overall passing game is fairly risk averse

[@sweavenger]

Rice was the best player on the pitch yesterday imo, so I wouldn’t say that he has been poor, rather the team as a whole and Southgate’s tactics.

[@eddietee6305]

Come on now. Rice has been awful in all 3 games. England have been awful in all 3 games.

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

Rice was the best player on the pitch yesterday

[@thierryhenry674]

From Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets to KDB, Rodri and Silva/Foden. Pep never sacrifice technicality, silkyness and tekkyness in the midfield. The game nowadays might need more physicality and athleticism. It’s true that the ManCity trio are more physical than the Barcelona trio. But in terms of technicality, there is no big difference. There might be a slight drop off but it’s not significant. Whereas Rice does offer more physicality and defensive capability, but he is a huge drop off in terms of technicality if you compare him to those Spanish greats.

[@jaywalker2083]

Maybe the best Man City team played Fernandinho. Other great teams are built around midfielders like Casemiro, Fabinho, etc. who were more defensive midfielders.

[@thierryhenry674]

@@jaywalker2083 Find the clip, the samba side of Casemiro. Fabinho is also a good passer, dribbler, ball controller and tempo dictator from deep.

[@DarrenTaylor-be5hf]

Zzzzzzzzzz

[@MickDarcy]

@@thierryhenry674 Find a girlfriend or a hobby

[@ToddParker]

As a coach, you have an idea, but then you sort it out on the training ground as individuals in the team and the team itself evolves. This is normal and part of the process. Fans need to stop thinking so rigidly because with Arteta it is fluid and dynamic. Players play, coaches coach, and players earn their role every single training session and game played.

[@eddietee6305]

Food footballers adapt. Diego Costa was a midfielder who became a striker - many more footballers have adapted.

[@MickDarcy]

@@eddietee6305 Wasn't Zinchenko a defender once?

[@MickDarcy]

Just out of curiosity, how many EPL clubs have you managed before because tbh and i don't mean to be rude but i've never heard of you? Also, any idea when this process is due to be completed? Thanks

[@ToddParker]

@MickDarcy your hilarious. Is the snide comment necessary? I coach at my own level. I have run clubs, delivered football camps on 3 continents, and coached university. Am I allowed to have an informed and trained opinion without being Mikel Arteta?

[@MickDarcy]

@@ToddParker I didn't ask you what you've done on your XBox. I asked you how many EPL clubs have you managed before? Is the question too hard for you?

[@RM_BURNER]

James, if you recall, when Rice signed for us, Arteta described him as being "the Lighthouse" - a player that platforms his teammates to shine. He is clearly seen as the long term 6 at Arsenal. When Rice said, "as we started to play, Arteta liked me in the 8 because it gave us better balance", I interpreted this as Arteta believing that Havertz at 8 was the root cause of the imbalance NOT Rice playing the 6. I can't believe Gary Neville hasn't realised this. Furthermore, The Athletic have already reported that Arsenal would prefer to sign an 8 this summer but the market for 8's currently is not great and thus the club have pivoted towards signing another 6. They're simply fastracking next summer's transfer business. Partey and Jorginho contracts end leaving Rice as the only 6 in the squad, so we would have required another 6 in a year anyway. The idea is plain to see: sign another 6 (which we would have had to next summer anyway) and have Rice play the 8 until the market for 8's improves.

[@Goonermenu]

This actually makes a lot of sense.

[@alanthomas1622]

I think the main reason for the adaption is the speed we are progressing. We are now in the position we only need 2/3 key players to win the league

[@merlinbotha363]

It's only English Arsenal fans that are worried , the rest could not care less what he does on international duty

[@jamescurrie7678]

Love James’ Highbury book stop and how the books start with Wenger and Bobby Moore and finish with Spiderman and Pokémon 😂

[@JasonSpamulusUtting]

What’s with the sudden use of position numbers these last few months talking about players. Never used them the last few decades when talking about the game?

[@tumisveinnsnorrason7379]

Arteta clearly favours versatility with his signings and looks for those attributes, I mean, look at what they did with Havertz and how well that turned out. It's clearly a feature and not a bug that players end up being moved around because that's evidence of the tactical depth that Arteta wants to build with this team, instead of signing players only capable of 1 thing and 1 thing only, not to mention how it helps with the squad depth that you have players you can move into different positions without the quality level dropping when players get injured.

[@ThePundit99]

If you are still talking about traditional positions in Arteta's formation, you are a few steps behind. Arteta values positional play. You point out Rice , Havertz and Timber as being converted, what about Gvardiol, Ake, Akanji? Gvardiol plays left back now but he is a centre back, Akanji plays almost at right back, Ake plays left back, Different games call for different requirements, I have heard you severally say ' This game requires Zinchenko, that game requires Kiwior, that game would suit Tierney", why don't you carry the same reasoning and see that Rice was brought majorly for TRANSITION CONTROL, we didn''t have that with either Partey, Jorginho or even Xhaka. Our midfield used to be overrun very easily.Rice controls transitions and he can also do OTHER ADDED DUTIES going forward, including SET PIECES. About England performance, I think they have OVERACHIEVED, that's a poorly coached team. You don't take Mariah Carey to be trained by a Sunday school choir master!

[@TheGoonerverse]

Akanji, Gvardiol & Ake aren’t Rodri, KDB or Haaland… Havertz & Rice are meant to be those key positions. I’m all for flexibility but does that mean NO ONE should have a settled, identified specialist role in the team? Saka is about the only one who does

[@ThePundit99]

@@TheGoonerverse With Arteta's football settled position counts for very little. For instance we have seen Bernardo Silva play left back, right wing, left 8, pivot with Rodri. In man city it's only halaand and rodri who have settled positions. We have seen Party at RB, does it mean he doesn't have a settled position? He does, he is a 6, but different games call for different needs. Saka played Lb, Rwb, RW for England in one match, this is because Arteta has coached him that way and Southgate was confident SAKA would perform.

[@jkilla21389]

Part of the problem is that these days, there’s no room for experimentation. Can’t afford to wait and see if something will work cause you might drop the points that lose you the title

[@jxy8938]

I believe even tho arteta now knows havertz is better as a 9, there will be a small part of him that will try to explore havertz as a midfielder again, because of the attacking potential. And i dont think its concerning to always pivot from the main target. Pep reportedly wanted kane and got haaland. Klopp reportedly wanted caicedo bellingham but he got endo mac allister. The best managers can produce results with the most range

[@dessiparis3553]

This would be my preferred midfielder for next season. Odegaard Wirtiz Giumares Rice Partey Fofana

[@SweetCeej]

Playing players in positions where they play better and develop faster in is NOT a concern, a bit click baity...

[@Bolkiebasher]

Damn it! I’m a Spurs fan and just subscribed to James 🤔. A quality analist. Please cover some other teams.

[@Whatmobiledeal]

James, think you’re over analysing! Arsenal were one win away from premier league glory. I think the pivoting away from initial ideas is a strength if it’s clear the initial idea isn’t going to work. In terms of what we need this transfer window, if we get Kimmich and Williams, that would be enough in my opinion for us to win the league.

[@shimnomdogo8400]

We might be overthinking things. Let's see what Arsenal will look like next season then we'll know if this is an issue or not

[@Arty2senis]

On Ian Wright suggestions. It's his fault. If you state this suggestions, explain it clearly. He is on a big media. He is not a new pundit, been there long time, so should use his words with responsability. Anyway, it was stupid idea to think of puting Saka at LB, where he didn't play for 3 years. P.S. "poor Foden" has to play "out of position" even he is "sooo versitile" and could play all across forward line. Maybe Foden could play LB? 😂😂😂

[@TheKingSkillsBW67]

I’m confident to say Gary Neville is quoting what I said on his post on OneFootball. What he says here is my reply to the post he had put up after the first game of England where he was totally off the mark about why England failed to click. He may not give me credit but he’s taken my point on board. Rice is not yet an elite no6. I’ve been saying this for a long while now after the season ended. The all the points Arsenal dropped, Rice was playing at no6 for us. At an advanced level, your number 6 must be able to receive the ball between defenders and have the ability to turn into traffic and face the press and beat it and launch offensive attacks from deep. Once your no6 is celebrated mainly for marking, then you know he’s playing in an average team. Elite teams keep possession and are always recycling ♻️ this possession through the no6 to launch and relaunch attacks, repeatedly probing for weaknesses; and the no6 is the KEY brains 🧠 to do this well and engage everyone! Simple question; why Did Odegaard drop so drastically in his goal scoring? After registering 15 non penalty goals, Rice came in and failed to recycle ♻️ possession at an elite level that approached Partey and Rodri level. Arteta solved this by dropping Odegaard way too deep because he can receive the ball and turn into traffic and beat the press eloquently. So by the time he got forward, he was rarely at the end of chances created like the season when he scored 15 goals, he was now 2 -3 passes behind the goals. Look at his stats on chances created, he set a very high record this past season! People over praise Rice. Failing to see the key players in this Arsenal team. Odegaard Saka Havertz the defenders, Trossard Martinelli. All these guys are fundamentally different and yet linked skillfully into an efficient attacking team by Mikel Arteta. Rice will one day play no6 because Mikel Arteta is just insanely talented at passing knowledge to players, and Roce is insanely gifted and absolutely very smart and young; but he’s NOT ready to be a leading no6 for Arteta’s Arsenal, YET. Southgate just exposes this fact far much more with his tactical cluelessness.

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

As a former professional footballer for one of the biggest clubs in the world, what has Gary Neville ever won or know to have the audacity to question an online American soccer fan eh? And of course lets also not forget that Mikel Arteta is just insanely talented at passing knowledge to players as shown by the now flourishing talents of Tavares, Marquinos, Kiwior, Vieria, RN, Ramsdale, ESR, Cedric, Nketiah, Zinchenko, Jesus and Lokonga

[@Cafez27]

James is so wrong here, the answer is obvious….. Take a look at the first 2 games of the season, Community Shield and Forest….. He plays in the 8 position in both games, Harvertz starts up front. BUT you have to stop thinking about 8’s and 6’s with Declan…. in the 8 position he still drops to do his defensive work…he does it all from that position! Declan is brilliant I love him but he simply doesn’t have the elite level progressive passing, especially against mid-blocks needed for us to take the next step. That’s doesn’t mean I don’t him he can pass he is an excellent passer of the ball but he isn’t an elite play maker like Rodri and we need that badly . That cluster of games that cost us the title in December, Declan at 6, Kai at 8…..the only reason he played at 6 was because Partey got injured and Mikel didn’t think Jorginho could fill those boots for some reason. What happened in Dubai, simple Mikel reflected on his midfield selection in December and I suspect regrets it, and realised we will be a far far better team with Jorginho as the deep line playmaker, which he did brilliantly btw and with Declan playing in the 8 box to box role….. So what happened, Arsenal transformed and we went on an incredible run, we looked effective dominant cohesive, and dangerous, Kai up front made a huge difference. Mikel ended the season the way he had planned to start it with Partey in the deep line playmaker position and Declan, in the dominating 8 role suppressing teams winning high ball and scoring goals. Declan is an 8 and that is what Mikel had always intended to play him…..if the 8 position as a title worries you call it a 8:box to box, but I guarantee you Declan will not be our deep line player maker next season!

[@DarrenTaylor-be5hf]

Another clueless plastic...

[@TheKingSkillsBW67]

The only lack of clarity displayed so far wis from pundits who haven’t yet matured to give Mikel Arteta the respect he deserves. Arterta’s proven to be elite at problem solving. The idea that Arsenal lack clarity of some sort in this window is so laughable! Really? People have tried to fabricate so many “credible links” about possible targets and they keep changing daily with time, and they think Arteta is like them! No. Mikel Arteta Edu Garlick know for so many months now who their target is. It’s set in stone and those ta gets are slowly being pulled in. Myself, am so happy with all the delays. Pep Guardiola MUST make the first move. If we buy ALL our new players players BEFORE him, we are doomed to fail to compete with him again! He’ll immediately know how to neutralize that. So if you don’t want stress, don’t believe anything you hear about targets now. Just enjoy it to pass time. So much is at stake this window. Arterta’s plans are top secret! Air tight like never before this season. And he wants to see the key signings of City before moving with his. But all the targets are already known and briefed…it’s now mental games! Who blinks first!

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

27 signings and not one of them has won anything under him 4 LBs who can't stay fit for a week 5 GKs and not one of them anywhere near as good as the one he sold Sign more injury prone players to replace the previous injury prone players he bought Arterta’s proven to be elite at problem solving Stick to baseball and the NFL....

[@jimmywenger8979]

"Rice is not Rodri or Kroos", erm yeah no shiz, he's English, not Spanish or German. For an Englishman he's very good, it's a bit unfair to compare him to footballers from nations who have a much better footballing pedigree. Like Neville was a decent right back, but he was no Cafu etc.

[@MickDarcy]

Like 8 x EPL and 2 x UCL winner Gary Neville was a decent right back, but he was no Cafu etc. Priceless

[@DrHankVenture]

Is it possible that Arteta wants a flat-3 in the midfield with each of the starters looking to go forward or drop deep? It seems like we're going after well-rounded midfielders who can be that "do it all" type player going from box to box that relies less on driving into the box. We know that Rice can pass, we know that he's an absolute workhorse, and he can maintain possession. From the outside looking in, I would love to see three CMs that can be interoperable with one another regardless of state. We see Odegaard pressing like a madman from the front with Rice dropping deeper when out of possession. In my mind, if we have that flat and interoperable system it allows us to worry less about counters if one of the three CMs drives and is out of their generally defined area of the field because they can just take up that more forward role until they can rotate back into their compact positional shape.

[@kunimitsune177]

A flat three still typically has a DM, or one of the three acting as one. It's sort of a myth of a formation. You could argue we play a flat three already at times.

[@rayb12]

You dont have a clue what youre talking about.

[@ongetebossofficial]

Wrighty wants what's best for England,

[@MickDarcy]

Wrighty says whatever people pay him to say

[@ibeaniebona4492]

James waffled in this video…rice is complete CM which is a plus for us so why worry about what Neville and England think about him as long as he balls for us…James please stop these senseless conspiracies 😂😂

[@gooner72]

Stop panicking James....... Rice said he's happy in either position and the amount of goals/assists he got shows that he's great going forward........ in an 8 position.

[@mahlimaankhkabara1355]

RICE 🍚 CAN BE ORGANIC OR HYBRID EITHER WAY RICE IS NICE

[@user-qh4pp6it3q]

You are missing the point James. Declan Rice passes the ball sideways and back, not progressive like Jorginho, Partey, Rodri, etc. That is why you will not see what Gary is saying in the stats. Gary is 100%

[@FootyFan678]

Has anyone kept their form for England?

[@MichaelJay-li8mg]

Southgate Tactics are shit

[@danilohm]

Love Declan and can’t stand Neville, but showing pass percentile to prove he makes forwards passes is disingenuous. Show the pass maps and you’ll see exactly what he was saying. Declan is great at keeping possession and making the safe pass not progressing the ball with forward passes.

[@MickDarcy]

What does 8 x EPL and 2 x UCL winner Gary Neville know about football compared to someone who knows How To Make Sugar Rockets eh?

[@danilohm]

@@MickDarcy lol fair play. Typically I think Neville lets his Manchester bias get in the way of fair analysis towards Arsenal or Arsenal players, but he’s spot on here.

[@MickDarcy]

@@danilohm The fact is 8 x EPL and 2 x UCL winner Gary Neville along with 98% of English fans absolutely hates Arsenal

[@danilohm]

@@MickDarcy yes we’ve established what Gary Neville has won, and as an Arsenal fan for the last 18 years I’m well aware most English football fans hate Arsenal, Gary Neville included. That said when you’re in the media you’re supposed to check your biases at the door and be professional. He’s capable of doing it with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool (all clubs he hates as well) but when it comes to Arsenal most times you can tell he gets flashbacks of trying to defend Henry. But again I’m agreeing his point here is spot on.

[@MickDarcy]

@@danilohm Arsenak fan for last 18 years lol 😅 The questuon is, of all the clubs to pretend to support, why didn't u choose a big UCL winning one?

[@dessiparis3553]

Bro how is onana help arsenal to overcome city, we need better

[@TheCannonPod]

King

[@kunimitsune177]

Bit cringe

[@joshuad3]

james, i don't care about neville, ornstein, or any of these pundits. they cover the premier league whereas you cover arsenal. they don't know our club better than we do. we watch every minute of every arsenal game. bottom line, arsenal started the season with partey, rice, and odegaard as their preferred midfield 3. the only reason that changed is because of the injuries to both partey and odegaard early in the season...not because arteta had a "good idea". that's bs. we all know that arteta would play the same eleven every game and doesn't change anything unless he has to. you're wrong when you say everyone knows that kai havertz came in to replace xhaka. that was declan rice, not havertz. do you really believe that havertz is a better #8 than rice...or a better #8 than partey is a #6? lastly, rice is a more dynamic player than partey but not a better cdm.

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

Lol, i guarantee that Gary Neville's been to the Emirates more times than you have

[@iDealMedley]

Rice supposed to be xhaka replacement. but partey injured

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

Partey injured?? Wow, who saw that coming?

[@johntari885]

Mr James if Thomas Partey was fit throughout the season where would Rice play

[@runitup7029]

I think if you view players as collections of attributes, rather than positional specialists, it will be easier to understand the way arsenal approach signing and deploying players. To me, it's a great thing. Arteta plays the opposition. When rice as an 8 hurts them more, he'll play there. If he needs to sit and shut down attacks, he'll play 6. A big part of arteta ball is to have full flexibility in problem solving amd the ability to manipulate multiple variables in a game to gain the advantage, so he wants players who are happy and willing to contribute from different areas of the pitch, depending on where they are needed. The key is to make sure they're thinking and reacting to situations the way they do naturally, and honestly arteta is superb in that regard.

[@poopsiclemcgee1134]

WHEN WILL WE JUST GIVE ZINCHENKO A CHANCE TO START AT THE 8?!??!

[@RDNHGH]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@poopsiclemcgee1134]

@@RDNHGH cool pic soy boy. TOTALLY looks like an account of someone who was actually an athlete and not an angry soy boy on the internet

[@loricounts7972]

It gets under my skin when content guys when they question the professionals, if you are a fan just be a freaking fan. You Sunday pick-up players just stop with this commentary. Rice is great, we don't care what Gary Neville has to say. And has fans, why do we need clarity clarity?

[@TheGoonerverse]

You can’t say ‘don’t question the professionals’ and then say ‘who cares what Neville thinks’ - he is the professional! But there’s a debate and we as fans are allowed an opinion on it, that’s all. I wasn’t negative or critical, I raised a question and gave a passive opinion

[@user-qb1pd2pp7h]

You just want to make a video

[@davidokk4502]

Who cares... just win the league 😂

[@Noah_Arsenal]

he is a 6 for me

[@LightzyOG]

Declan Rice has said his idol is Yaya Toure, and from what i've seen he may not be as technical as Toure but he is very good on the ball and drives into open space very often. He has pretty decent vision and while he's not on the same level as Odegaard, he will get better.

[@incognitoHoncho]

Rice is good as a 8, but he can be world class as a 6.

[@cabdideeq9538]

More views than subs😂

[@mr.gegenpress7750]

James, why not let Ødegaard dictate the game by playing as a deep playmaker (6/TP role) and Rice + another defensive profile like Onana in that 8 roles!?

[@LiiveGunner]

James and arsenal fans, your job is 12th, man. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

[@sperrotta91]

So much wrong with this comment...

[@jamiebaker8017]

I’d play saka at left back if I was Southgate… he broke through for us as a left back and killed it… that England team needs balance

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

You need to stick to Aussie Rules map of Tazzie

[@Zaccybacon]

If Arsenal signed someone who is an 8 who can drop (Dr Jong) people will say Rice is a great 6, whereas if Arsenal use someone who stays deep (Jorginho, Partey) people will say he’s shit at 6 but a decent 8. Media and fans will always create a narrative and it will stick

[@TheArsenalChief]

We need a marquee striker..Vlahovic..we need to make Juventus want to sell

[@danielkrawczyk3341]

Nice clickbait title You can't have it both ways Saying you trust Edu & Arteta and then pick out a statement pretty much questioning them and not having faith in the process It's obvious that's the work environment You hire someone but their best talent might show up in a different sector It's completely normal I do prefer Rice in the 8 / Xhaka role We need that young DM that can grow under the tutelage of Jorginho or Partey

[@JWLENTERPRISES]

Arteta is LEVELS above Southgate. If he was in charge of the England team, they would walk the Euros. Rice was phenomenal for Arsenal this season... whoever Arteta & Edu bring in in the summer - will be exactly what we need.

[@Ivanovic5580]

Yes difference between Mikel and Southgate is that Mikel very quickly figured out Declan's only weakness and made up for it with Jorginho and Partey playing alongside him. Southgate still plays Declan as the lone pivot, that's why England is as dull as they are going forward.

[@alexbrown975]

The England job is a poison chalice. Any self respecting manager wouldn't take the job.

[@DavidLawlor-ci8wz]

English fans , media and pundits should be more humble. Luka Modric

[@CashMNey]

@@Ivanovic5580arteta would play players in the right position and if they struggle he is more then capable of helping them adjust like look at havertz

[@merlinbotha363]

Arteta is definitely a better coach but I donthink he walks the comp. 1 is philosophy requires time to learn and 2 he is not that good at knock out football. He is very young for a coach and these tournaments requore a lot of experience

[@TwistedSoul2002]

James- Rice had 17 goals and assists last season. 12 of which came after Mikel moved him further upfield. He’ll improve on those numbers. Remember- that was his first 5 months playing in that position. Also- don’t buy into the bs that Mikel doesn’t know if he wants a six or eight. Does Mikel strike you as indecisive?? Come on! It’s just journalists hedging their bets so they don’t look stupid in a few weeks time!

[@eddietee6305]

I don't see the problem here.

[@JoshFord-zs8dg]

How many of them assists were from taking a corner?

[@TheGoonerverse]

I didn't realise his numbers were THAT good as an 8 tbf! In terms of does Arteta konw what he wants in midfield? I think there's evidence that he didn't know what he wanted to do with Havertz but he just loved the player - so it's not that surprising if reports are true that we're not sure which angle to take

[@bernieone1]

Always preferred the idea of Declan playing as more of an 8 then a 6. Love his galloping style and that suits the 8 role rather then the 6.

[@mohammedosman5366]

His decision making in the final 3rd has also improved. I think he’s our 8 and we need a new 6

[@BeforeThisNovember]

L take. Rice excels as a 6. We need an 8 that can make final 3rd passes, who also helps out defensively

[@mohammedosman5366]

@@BeforeThisNovember L take from you. We need a 6 who can hold his position and break lines with his passing. Similar to what Jorginho (Partey for a few games) did for us last season

[@BeforeThisNovember]

@@mohammedosman5366 be honest here. Is Rice a better 8 or a better 6?

[@mohammedosman5366]

@@BeforeThisNovember He can do both, but I'd rather have a holding 6 who can control the game from deep, and then Rice at 8 to win the ball high or in a low block and drive from deep.

[@innercircle341]

Rice is not a 6, he cannot control a midfield and distribute His progressive passing is not that good. Compare his passing to Paqueta for instance. No, Rice is not criticised he is ANALYSED. Playing 6 he passes almost always to the fullbacks and centrebacks Havertz cant play the 8

[@Thierry_in_London]

Think you have mis-understood Pep's & Mikel's shared vision for players/squads & tacticals. Meaning! He wants multi-position players who are exceptional in more than 1 slot/formation. So Rice is never going to be X or Y in the trad sense. He is required to do both!

[@eddietee6305]

Agree. Aprtey always ill.

[@CROSSNSHOOT]

Who cares about Rice and England Arsenal pay him now!

[@Alexandre1453]

Well, when playing as a 6 Rice did seem to hesitate in making a progressive pass to break the lines. So much so that Odegaard had to drop to help him. Arteta tried to make it all work bringing Zinchenko as a pivot, despite his defensive weakness, which made Arsenal fans wonder what was Arteta doing. Then he finally changed Rice of position, bringing Jorginho in. For a club like West Ham, it makes sense having Rice as a 6, since they play mostly in fast counter attacks. For Arsenal, not so much.

[@MickDarcy]

For a European cup winning club like West Ham who sent us crashing out of the Carabao Cup and destroyed us at the Emirates it made sense having Rice as a 6

[@Alexandre1453]

@@MickDarcy If you understood that I was somehow underestimating West Ham, you need to go back to school or practice more your reading 👍

[@MickDarcy]

@@Alexandre1453 You'll be telling us Arteta's thinking of signing Olavo de Carvalho as an inverted No 8 and back up for Saka next

[@christopherwolf3134]

Rice is playing out of position for England

[@muhammadasadkhan3564]

I think you are the one who is unclear. Arteta is not unclear. You read other Arsenal fans and YT "experts" talking and hypothesizing and you label it as if Arteta/Arsenal are confused and not clear. So this whole video was just about your own anxiety. So waste of our time :) Sorry brother for being harsh on this video

[@SgcinoLindani]

For the left back situation I think califiori is the dream signing

[@MrThugii]

It makes little sense to me,Rice is one of the best 6 in the world,but not even a top 10 number 8,by moving him to 8,whoever we bring in will be below the lvl of rice as a 6 and i think we can get a much better 8 than what Rice can do there

[@julu8407]

Do tactical analysis on this England team and how they can improve. Plz

[@SJA-2000]

Change the manager and his staff, that's how England improves

[@joshhenry2389]

JAMES B

[@ZaaRaphz]

Rice is a box to box 8, that's his best role, he can play a 6 and be right up there with the best. But he is a 8 If people want to criticise him, the 1st game England played, he was one of the better players, last 2 not at his best, like the whole team apart from the defensive players.

[@gladiatorscoops4907]

You know you can just have a CM not a 6 or an 8. We won the league with 2 CM's in Vieira and Petit who both were as comfortable in their defensive duties as they were offensive and played with intelligence - when one went forward the other dropped back.

[@eddietee6305]

Simple. I'm not sure why there is a fuss with James and Gary Neville.

[@kunimitsune177]

What. A six and an eight are both central midfielders. The 'just a CM' type is an 8 because they play next to the six. Sometimes players can do more than one role in a team. Vieira and Petit were often referred to as DMs (6) and played in the famous misnomer that is the 'double pivot'.

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

We last won the league in 2004 Just saying...

[@SteveBarrow-lp2ns]

@@kunimitsune177 Cringe

[@MickDarcy]

@@SteveBarrow-lp2ns *EPL

[@weray7605]

Respectfully, I disagree about any lack of direction/preparedness going into this Transfer Window. Though I'm not a big fan of "versatile" players who can play multiple positions (I like easily defined roles & specialists.), it has been made clear that Arteta prefers versatility. It is 'Exactly' what Arteta 'Wants': Rice sometimes an 8 sometimes a 6; for example, Timber sometimes here, sometimes there; Martinelli, Trossard, Tomiyasu, Jesus, etc., etc. That IS the plan. Even though I prefer a pure, left-footed RW (Takefusa Kubo) to back-up Saka, Arteta wants a Xavi Simons who can play several roles 'including' RW back-up for Saka. This versatility is a Strength as far as Arteta is concerned: If you can't get 'Target-#1' you can switch to 'Target-#2'. If the opponent is stifling 'Plan A' you can switch to 'Plan B'. I think Arteta and Edu are 100% prepared for the Transfer Window. And I think they are quite adept at keeping the nosy media reporters unsure, uncertain and confused by what only 'looks like' ambiguity. -W E Ray

[@Flexium_GG]

Rice's tackling, marking, positioning, leadership are better utilized more as a 6, and Arsenal is betting getting off a more attacking 8 (not a CAM, but someone with better heading/shots/flair). That being said, if we get Kimmich, Rice goes back up to 8 and kimmich is locked in as that deep lying playmaker as a 6 Love your insight here overall mate, I struggle with this myself when pondering Arsenal. Tactical flexibility provides dynamism, but at what point do we prioritize more clear-cut philosophies? Arteta gets props from me for making Havertz work as a 9, but would we have been better off with a Haaland? Germany is going through this currently, and at least for them I think they need Fullkrug starting (I personally favor Havertz as a SS but would that be our absolute best starting lineup? where would we fit in odegaard) Zinchenko is also interesting. He plays as a IWB but would we be better off with a double pivot of rice/kimmich and then have a more traditional wb?

[@dodgysmum8340]

The whole 6/8 distinction is unhelpful. Rice is definitely not good enough at 6 to be a single pivot, but who except Rodri is? And as half a double pivot u cld call rice a 6.5. hes elite, as you say, at pressing and ball winning, but is not elite at receiving in pressure (esp w back to goal)/ press resistance and line breaking passes/ progression. So you another 6 and a half type who tilts the opposite way. Kobbie Mainoo wld probably b the perfect partner so wht u need is an attainable version of him. Or u need a younger Jorginho. Ur problem is tht I couldn’t name either, it’s a tough market for this type of player.

[@georgegraves487]

Keep up the great work ..greetings 😊from down under

[@j0fiz986]

Personally, if we are moving to this positionless football I think we should get an 8 who can swap with the defensive midfielder. So if rice grabs the ball at defensive midfield her ‘can’ just drive up further forward and whoever is in that 8 just drops back to cdm to cover for him. So Bruno makes for the perfect addition really. It’s pretty unfortunate for Rice that just because he doesn’t suck at something (getting the ball back) his game and career need to suffer to just being reduced to a cdm who gets the ball back from other players mistakes. I wanna see the max of his potential

[@s.p.6797]

You're Wrong James... Yooz listening to the Chatter, as opposed to Genuine Arsenal Statements.. Arteta and Edu are evolving our Team and as always, they demand fluidity.. But I suppose you need something to talk about.

[@jimmywenger8979]

03:08 havertz came in to be a no 8 we all know this. Want more evidence of this ok, timber brought in to play right and cb ( why specify 3 positions in the back 4) but impressed at LB so now hes gonna play there. - Erm so how did he impress at LB if he wasnt even considered to play there? Bro Your content is clutching at straws these days and reaching for things. Big thumbs down.

[@jabz7703]

I like Rice as an 8 I think his best qualities are his instincts, athleticism and dynamism. He has the ability to drive the tram forward and be sorta the player we play through similar to how we played through Xhaka. I think his passing is better higher up the pitch when he doesn't need to be quite as cute. He also crashed the box very well and he's quite good at improvising in the final third. Also when it comes to Rice at 6 there just too much rigidity in the side he isn't a fluid player whose going to grease the wheels and get you playing slick build up he's a powerful weapon that's used to attack and defend.

[@voiceoftruthmissionsminist5575]

It's you James and your group of analysts that seem to think you know enough of couching yet you don't understand how a club is eun. When things work beyond your knowledge, again and again, you apologize. Stop thinking you can manage a club. You literally know nothing about couching and running what happens on a soccer field. Just watch and see results When some

[@kevinwsimmons]

No question, Rice is a special 8. He’s able to overlap and get back. He’s a good passer and winner of the ball around the opposing 18. He’s a physical specimen with his work rate and fitness. Wasted as a defensive minded 6.

[@ConSciousNesS-sv9hy]

Mikel Wants unpredictability…. These observations cover it quite well. Wouldn’t you agree Jamie ?

[@JonMotivationalRend]

It's horses for courses, that's Artetas style for many players. The only criticism is relevant to the problem... Southgate.

[@HerzIRL]

I really don’t like the idea of spending a lot of money on a striker, not so much because I think we have enough depth upfront but the fear is if we spend 80m+ on a striker Kai will go back into midfield.

[@waynemarshall8836]

I think he’s a 8 a classic box to box. He replaced Xhaka. Rice isn’t technical but he’s smart and combative which was missing at Arsenal.

[@salz0758]

I don’t care about England under Southgate. Rice has changed Arsenal whether he is a 6 or an 8, so I care more about his performances for Arsenal….!

[@jeremiahmityero7501]

I cant even blame any england player the manager has no clue he just sees what the players are doing at club level and tries to get them all on the pitch and do what they do at club level where they al play for different clubs who play similar but different and there is little to no coaching on how they would like the team to play. so you then you just get the players criticised because they have no clue on what works

[@initman01]

Rice is a 6 all day long, he has been effective at times coming forward but that's due to the sheer surprise its brought to the opposition lol if you put a good 8 next to rice there would be daylight between them and how they operate

[@BruceMoolee]

arteta wants flexibilities in all positions, rice is learning to becoming a complete midfielder and it'll take some time getting there. What he's done in one season is impressive so far.

[@Nooguysorryyyy536]

Dec is a 6 😂 he’s just not a deep playing midfielder… he’s gattuso, kante esque player

[@rushnafwadud]

Congratulations. You’ve just inserted genuine panic and doubt into the “trust the process” crowd from a Gary frikking Neville quote.

[@MickDarcy]

What's Gary Neville ever won and any idea when the process is due to be completed?

[@potentialswillrule]

@@MickDarcy He's won zero as a manager

[@rushnafwadud]

@@potentialswillrule I reckon Chump of the Year for two to three years running?

[@rushnafwadud]

@@MickDarcy a process, by definition, is something that is ongoing. For example, evolution is a process. If you’re asking when some sort of result can be seen, you have my sympathy. Regarding “tangible” results like trophies and cups and all, personally, T-1 minutes to my dying breath is fine with me, if the Arsenal keeps playing the way they are, ie. they continue to evolve in the trajectory they have been on. I hope that is succinct enough.

[@astro9219]

Rice has had one season. He will be even better next season, whichever position he plays.

[@traderiq2023]

Normally love your stuff mate.. but it is a bit positionally obsessed .. u should know by now this team plays according to the opposition.. 6 or 8 doesn’t matter he has still been exceptional and think it is a bit limited to feel the need to pigeon hole players as u have here .. compared to your normal work mate. Think this lacks the depth of thought u normally give us. Btw agree with ur point re the Wright hysteria

[@TheGoonerverse]

@@traderiq2023 appreciate the feedback & kind words and a few people have said this kind of thing but I feel a touch misunderstood because, I think flexibility is a huge strength of ours, but ultimately Rodri has one position he’s mastered, Haaland too, can we say that about any of our players from midfield upwards? That’s what I’m getting at really

[@zatd2604]

Rice was moved coz he offers more as an 8 n havertz underperformed as an 8

[@randyb59]

This seems like a stretch in terms of the importance of this conversation

[@dec047]

No more experimenting in this Euro competition pls

[@Hammez-vq1uz]

DR was moved for pressing reasons.. No?

[@claudiol1409]

You're being hyper critical