Declan Rice explains how he's benefitting from Mikel Arteta's differing roles in centre of Arsenal's midfield.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 For Arsenal, they're two completely different roles.
00:02 The way Mikel wants his six to play is so different to how he wants his eight to play.
00:09 I think at times when I've been playing one up recently,
00:12 I've been the highest man up the pitch on some occasions and that's unnatural to me.
00:17 But I've been learning and I've been really, really enjoying it.
00:21 I've said all along I think my strongest position is six.
00:24 That's where I've built my career.
00:26 That's where I feel really confident.
00:27 But every time Mikel says at clubs that I'm going to play eight,
00:32 I'm really excited.
00:33 I want to go forward, score goals, drive for the ball.
00:35 I'm lucky I can play both, but there's still big areas for improvement in both,
00:41 which I'm looking forward to doing.
00:42 You look at the best sixes in the world,
00:44 Man City, Rodri, arguably the best.
00:48 How he plays, how he's always central,
00:50 how he always connects between the back line and the forward players.
00:53 How he's always in the middle of the pitch.
00:55 You're always trying to learn and be that main player.
00:59 A lot of the play comes through me and it's about being present
01:02 and always wanting the ball.
01:03 I think the more I've played this season under Mikel,
01:07 I've gained that confidence and I've got better every time he's asked me to do it.