Why Rice? Arsenal now have a new outlay

Two things have been very clear for Arsenal in 2023; that they need to strengthen in midfield, and that then West Ham United skipper Declan Rice was their man. The Gunners made their interest clear in signing the England international and for once, went into a bidding war. The best thing for them is that the player himself was dying to join Arsenal. Interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayern Munich died away naturally. Manchester City had even indicated the will to pay top dollar. Being European champions should have worked in their favor but Rice was focused on Arsenal, who made good their push. Just like that, Rice became the most expensive English player, Arsenal’s fee of £105 rising past fees paid for Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid and Jack Grealish at Manchester City.

Frugal history

The big ask therefore, is why Rice? Why would Arsenal invest so much in a player, yet their history is associated with frugality? The answer to this can’t go further from Rice’s contribution in Arsenal’s unsuccessful title charge. Leading in the game, at the London Stadium, Rice closed down on Thomas Partey after sensing a poor pass from Kieran Tierney, nicked the ball away and set off West Ham to score on their way to a 2-2 draw. A win there would have given the Gunners a six-point buffer in the title race but it never came to be. A moment of quick thinking, as Arteta would love, must have endeared Rice to the Spaniard even more. It exposed what Arsenal lacked and with the ability to play as a 6 or 8 makes Rice a key man for Arsenal, something Granit Xhaka really struggled with. While the Swiss midfielder has since left, Arsenal will be much stronger with Rice’s arrival. You can bet on Arsenal’s odds to do well in the season going higher. As SportyTraders’ football experts offer free football betting tips for every match, bank on such to make an edge in the coming season.

Flexibility in position

Apart from Rice’s flexibility in positioning on the pitch, his anticipation is among the qualities that make him a key player for the Gunners ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League. Rice’s anticipation on the pitch, as seen at West Ham United and England, is wrapped in his speed, power and composure. Going into a tackle and emerging with the ball to either make a clearance or a pass, are not qualities way above Rice. He makes them look so easy. This is in regard to the fact that he has also played as a center-back and having made more recoveries than any other player in the league last season, the high price is well justified. When defensive cover is needed Rice is the man, and he will definitely aid Arsenal in that area, the Gunners having struggled to hold on leads in the latter stages of last season. It is not in doubt why Rice’s arrival has signaled talks of Thomas Partey’s departure. While losing Partey remains a possibility for Arsenal, the Gunners will be in a much better position with the two players in.

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