Things couldn’t have gone any better for Arsenal during their 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Having entered the game as slight underdogs, not many would have expected Arsenal to dominate the European champions so easily.
The returning Bukayo Saka was instrumental on the right flank, meanwhile, Mikel Merino continued his impressive form up top for the Gunners.
When it comes to naming Arsenal’s star performer though, that accolade can only go to one player on the night – namely Declan Rice.
The midfielder’s stunning free-kicks will of course take the headlines, but the Englishman’s display in the middle of the park was also a standout.
Playing slightly further forward than usual, Thierry Henry has been keen to highlight Rice’s positional change versus Madrid.
Thierry Henry praises Mikel Arteta’s decision
Rice’s best position has been debated for some time now, with many left split on whether he is best suited deeper or further forward.
Mikel Arteta seems to have found the answer to this conundrum though, deciding to play Rice further forward in recent months – something which would work a treat against Real Madrid.
When reacting to Rice’s performance on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry made sure to heap praise onto the Arsenal manager’s decision to push him higher up the pitch.
“Once again, you have to give Mikel Arteta a lot of credit for repositioning Declan Rice, like Micah talked about at the beginning of the game, because now you see what he is good at.
“You don’t see him not wanting to be on the ball very low and scared of making mistakes. He goes forward, participates in games, and even takes free kicks. I thought Odegaard was going to take the first one.”
Rice has ‘loved’ Arsenal position change
The decision to move Rice closer to the final third has paid dividends for Arsenal this campaign, with the 26-year-old picking up more goal contributions.
| Declan Rice 24/25 stats | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 29 | 2 | 5 |
| UEFA Champions League | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| EFL Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – |
| Total | 43 | 7 | 8 |
With goals and assists flying in, it seems like Rice is enjoying his new position, something he was keen to highlight in an interview with CBS Sports Golazo.
“I’ve loved it, like you I said I think I have the ability to play number eight and produce goals and produce numbers. It’s about having that self-belief and self-confidence.
“Obviously when I first came here I was playing in the six a lot and then moved into the eight and the back end of the season.
“I had a conversation with the manager at the start of the season and he said ‘I feel like you can do way more for us, you are so athletic, so strong and make really good runs into the box, you can score goals left foot and right foot’.
“He gave me the confidence to play there and in these games when they stretch and open up, it suits me to a tee. I love getting on the ball and travelling with it, trying to make things happen for my teammates.”
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