Arsenal fell flat in their bid to win the English Premier League (EPL) trophy with their dismal performance at the business end of the tournament. They lost to serial winners Manchester City, as the Pep Guardiola-led team fought their way to an unprecedented treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophy.
But for the fans of Arsenal, this season has presented more positives than negatives. Their main aim ahead of the 2022-23 season was to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and by finishing second by a mile and giving City a run for their money, the players, fans and backroom staff should be proud. Especially their manager Mikel Arteta.
Arteta has singlehandedly carried this team back to the top of the Premier League, making them one of the best teams in the tournament in 2022-23. But the side is now ready for the next step — winning a major trophy and NOT the FA Cup. And their chase for Declan Rice is definitely a step in the right direction.
The English midfielder is close to joining Arsenal on a bumper deal worth £100m + £5m in add-ons, which would make the West Ham player the most expensive British footballer after Jack Grealish. They will also be boosted by the fact that Arsenal
Grealish joined the blue side of Manchester ahead of the 2021-22 season from Aston Villa in what was then a record £100 million deal. He had a poor first season but then made it up in his second season with the club with impressive performances that took his team to the trophy.
But both players are completely different from each other.
How will Declan Rice change Arsenal?
Arsenal lacked physicality in the middle of the park which led to the demise of their previous campaign. Their main defensive pivot was Thomas Partey, but the Ghanaian was very inconsistent last season, with his unimpressive performances last season being critiqued by fans. Rice brings that physicality and consistency to the middle of the park.
Given that Arsenal love it when their players have a certain level of physicality, Rice makes perfect sense for Mikel Arteta's side. He can play as a centre-back, a six (defensive pivot) and as a no. 8. While many expect him to take up that no. 8 spot, his best position is as a defensive midfielder.
With Rice at the bottom of the midfield, he can slot into a defensive three when Arsenal attack, allowing fullbacks Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber (if he joins the Gunners) to slot into a four-man midfield and control the middle of the park.
And now that Manchester City have also pulled out of the race for Rice and with a few more details left to be sorted, Arsenal look set to land their main target this season. Their deal for Kai Havertz is also sealed and just has to be announced, while a deal for Jurrien Timber is also on the cards. This is ready to make Arsenal a stacked team heading into the next season.
Arteta's trajectory for this team has been significant to their rise — getting them back into Europe, then in the Champions League. The last step is winning the Premier League, and all eyes will be on this behemoth of a young side which will be further boosted by three players below the age of 25.
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