Arsenal: Mikel Arteta locates midfielder who would unlock Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is already contemplating which players to sign in January, with one particular eye on unlocking summer signing Declan Rice.

Currently, Declan Rice isn’t being used in the role that Mikel Arteta would like to use him. Considering he’s been one of the best players in the world at the start of this season but isn’t being used to plan, it’s scary to think how good he be in the planned role.

Declan Rice was signed by Arsenal not to be a defensive midfielder, but to play a little more attacking. Certainly for the England national team and Arsenal at the start of the season, he’s shown he excels in this role. Currently, though, he’s pinned back due to the injury of Thomas Partey.

With the Ghana international back to fitness, the goal for Mikel Arteta is to implement Declan Rice from an attacking standpoint more. However, it’s important to note that Thomas Partey is nearing the final stage of his career, so the aim for Arteta is likely to find a long-term replacement for Partey in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eyes midfielder to unlock Declan Rice

According to a report by TEAMtalk (via 90min), Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp is among a list of defensive-midfield targets for Mikel Arteta. The idea is that Vermeeren would fill the deep-lying role in a midfield three, allowing Declan Rice to excel further forward.

Declan Rice is an exceptional playmaker. Although I never thought I’d be saying that since my perception when he signed was that he was a destroyer, he’s shown a different element to his game. In the recent win against Manchester City, for example, the England international was an exceptional dictator of play.

In other news, check out this comparison of David Raya’s and Aaron Ramsdale’s stats.

Do you think Arsenal should sign Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp to unlock Declan Rice?