There is no secret where Arsenal’s priorities lie between now and June, so it was a little surprising to see just how strong Mikel Arteta’s line-up was at Portman Road. A midweek home game against Crystal Palace affords opportunity to make plans for Paris Saint-Germain. The expectation was that Arteta would give several of his star turns a rest in Ipswich. Think again.
That leaves Declan Rice to play as the No 6, a return to the earliest days of his professional career. The question, more relevant after his starring roles against Real Madrid, is how much you lose of Rice as a progressive ball carrier and ball winner when he has to sit. And, to give the whole thing a slightly negative spin, whether he can stop himself roaming and leaving the back door on the latch.
How Arsenal lined up on Sunday (Graphic: The i Paper)
The plan also pushed Mikel Merino back into more of a central midfield role, although he drifted both left and forward from that position. Merino has been used as a stand-in striker since Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were injured, but he averaged twice as many tackles per game in La Liga last season as he has in England. Merino’s physical presence near Rice could certainly be of use.
Arsenal will not face a more accommodating opponent than this between now and Christmas, but you could still see how this might work well. Rice is not simply a sitting midfielder, but the roaming is done from side to side without the ball, seeking to snuff out danger. Julio Enciso played in the hole to keep Rice busy centrally.
Your next read
square FOOTBALLEveryone is ignoring Tielemans’ super season – except where it really matters
square FOOTBALL‘Not my best season at Arsenal’: Five questions with Gabriel Martinelli
square FOOTBALLThe ‘next Jamie Vardy’ is a 150-goal forward who barely trains
square FOOTBALLGraham Potter has been quietly getting away with dross at West Ham
After the nasty kick that Saka took from Leif Davis, the away end held its breath and feared bad news. Saka was fine, but that must surely have persuaded Arteta to take no chances from now on. The confidence is back. Rice has had his practice as a No 6. He can do this job against far better sides than Ipswich Town.
This is an extract of The Score. Sign-up up here to receive the newsletter every Monday morning with The i Paper’s verdict on all 20 Premier League clubs
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Arsenal have found a solution after Thomas Partey’s idiocy in Madrid )
Also on site :