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I’m not really sure what Artetas plans are with Rice. Does he see him as a 6, LCM, progressive 8? The main reason it’s confusing is also the players he’d want to bring into the club to play alongside Rice in midfield, like Zubimendi or Tchouameni. Both of them are deep lying and ball carying DM’s. That leaves Rice as the 8.
the thing is because of rice skill set which is running with the ball forward, arteta seems to now fully use him as no 8 compared to few first few appearances where he played as no 6
He played him 8 in his first true competitive game. Then a 6 that becomes an 8. Then mainly a 6 and now more recently an 8 again.
I think he’s just a super talented midfielder that can do different things in different games.
Rice is actually great as an 8. He can carry the ball well, he’s decent at passing and can score too. He would need time to properly settle into the position but everything is there (in him) to find success.
Although it’s quite clear originally Mikel wanted Kai as LCM and Rice as CDM (forced Partey as RB) but it didn’t work out at all. At least he’s not foolishly stubborn and seems to have changed his approach.
I think you should wait until we’re actually signing these players before getting confused by artetas plans for them. More likely than not it’s all bullshit anyway.
It’s pretty clear at this point that his plans for rice are mainly putting him on the pitch. But it could be that he doesn’t trust him in possession at the base of midfield against teams where possession may be harder to come by. Or it could just be that he likes Jorginho.