Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that midfielder Declan Rice is taking on a different role in the team this season, moving away from his previous position as the team’s “lighthouse”.
Arteta previously described Rice as a player who provides direction and stability for his teammates. However, the manager now wants him to contribute more to Arsenal’s attacking play while continuing to protect the defence.
Rice has already shown improvements in his passing and creativity. In six Premier League appearances this season, he has recorded three assists from open play, more than he managed throughout the entire 2025/26 league campaign.
Two of those assists set up Bruno Guimaraes goals against Sunderland and Leeds United, while the other helped Kai Havertz score against Chelsea. Rice has also increased his forward passing and ability to find teammates between opposition players.
His new position at the base of Arsenal’s midfield allows players such as Guimaraes and Myles Lewis-Skelly to move forward and contribute more to attacks. Despite the change, Rice still makes forward runs, carries the ball into dangerous areas and remains a threat from set pieces.
Arteta believes Rice can become an even more influential player as he adapts to the new role. The change also reflects Arsenal’s efforts to develop a more attacking style of play this season.
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