Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta finds ‘new option’ with Declan Rice after PSV draw
In pictures: PSV v Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta used the dead-rubber 1-1 Champions League draw with PSV to cook up something different with Rice. Eddie Nketiah’s first ever Champions League goal was wiped out after half-time by Yorbe Vertessen shortly after half-time – although Leandro Trossard could have won it for the Premier League side if he had shot either side of the goalkeeper with the final effort of the match.
But the talking point was the decision of the Arsenal manager to play his £105m midfielder Declan Rice as a centre-back for the final half-hour of the game. “We are very short at the back and I really wanted to try if something happens, how we’re going to resolve that situation,” Arteta explained.
“I thought he was really good. We have to try as if we have an emergency, we have to understand and to be sure that we can fill that gap in the right way.
“He has a lot of composure on the ball, he wins a lot of duels for a player of his size and he has done it in the past. He is a good option.” In truth, Rice has played there very little since David Moyes’ first spell at West Ham when he was still only a teenager.
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Ironically, now his services may be of more value in midfield after Mohamed Elneny was forced off with a hamstring injury. Brentford target Johan Bakayoko terrorised everybody in the Arsenal defence.
And having had a £34million bid fall down last transfer deadline day, PSV manager Peter Bosz had a warning for the Bees. “He is so good – every time he plays, his price goes up and up,” he said. “Remember he is still only 20.”
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Arteta’s main concern now is to nurse his squad through the Premier League campaign and put the Champions League to bed for the coming months irrespective of Monday’s draw in Nyon.
“Overall, finishing first with a game to play we have to be really happy,” Arteta said. “Now we have to close that chapter now until February and make sure that when that chapter opens up again, we’re in the best place to compete against another top side.”
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