Declan Rice posts new training update after Arsenal transformation
Arsenal’s activity in this summer’s transfer window could result in a more prominent role for Declan Rice next season.
Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard were the clear first-choice trio in Mikel Arteta‘s 4-3-3 setup at the Emirates last season, as Jorginho, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri filled in when necessary.
Injuries in Arsenal‘s front three regularly saw Nwaneri and Merino reployed as a right winger and centre-forward respectively, but Arteta has taken steps to address these depth issues in a summer of change.
Partey and Jorginho’s departures have been confirmed upon the ends of their contracts, but the pair were both replaced at the base of Arsenal’s midfield in one swoop with the signing of Martin Zubimendi.
Christian Norgaard’s arrival from Brentford will add more depth in the engine room alongside Zubimendi, and added competition for skipper Odegaard could also be on its way in the form of Eberechi Eze.
Rice gets ‘straight to work’ in new fight for Arsenal place
Signing Eze from Crystal Palace would require Arsenal to trigger his £68million release clause, but the Gunners have flexed their financial muscles this summer on Zubimendi, Norgaard and Noni Madueke.
Madueke’s transfer looks set to precede the headline addition of Sporting CP Striker Viktor Gyokeres for a similar fee to Eze’s proposed move, giving Arteta a formidable set of options to choose in his frontline.
Nwaneri’s new contract announcement is also imminent at the Emirates, and with Havertz and Merino unlikely to be needed up front next season, Rice and Odegaard’s starting spots could be under threat.
Rice wasn’t showing any such pressure in the first training session of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore on Tuesday (22 July) though, as he posted on his Instagram story with the message of; “straight to work”.
Gyokeres, Eze transfers to make Arsenal Premier League favourites
Football Insider Verdict
Arsenal’s second-placed Premier League finish last term was their third in a row, though a 10-point gap to champions Liverpool came after two straight seasons of pushing Manchester City right to the end.
Strengthening his starting XI with Zubimendi, Gyokeres and potentially Eze’s signatures would certainly help to close the gap, and Norgaard, Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga will provided much-needed depth.
Arteta is under pressure to finally deliver a second trophy at Arsenal over five years after their 2020 FA Cup win, and this summer’s signings could be exactly what it takes to get the Gunners over the line.