Arsenal face PSG on Wednesday evening in what may be the Gunners’ biggest game in almost 20 years.
Indeed, Arsenal are on the verge of history as they aim to make the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.
Some fancy Arsenal to get past PSG, while others expect PSG to finish the job and beat Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta heads into this game with a few selection headaches on his hands, and one of those is a big decision to make up front.
Kai Havertz remains injured, and while Mikel Merino has earned praise recently, he’s not a natural striker.
Speaking on Stadium Astro, Francis Jeffers has been discussing Arsenal’s selection issue against PSG, and he was asked if the Gunners should use Declan Rice up front in Paris.
Francis Jeffers comments on Declan Rice playing up front vs PSG
Jeffers was asked if he’d use Rice up front against PSG after he scored a brilliant goal vs Bournemouth at the weekend.
The pundit says that Rice is bright enough to play up front, noting that he probably could do a job as a number nine.
Ultimately, Jeffers says this would be a big call, but he says it may take a call like that to get past PSG.
“Their biggest game of the season, PSG, Wednesday night, would you go with Rice up front instead of Merino? Because Partey will be back in the midfield,” Jeffers was asked.
“He’s shown he’s bright enough, his biggest strength is running from deep, he’s ended up on the backline, he probably could do it,” Jeffers said.
“I think Rice’s biggest strength is coming from deep. For me it would be a big call to play him as a number nine in the biggest game of the season, but it just might take a call like that.”
Players who changed positions in Champions League finals
Playing Declan Rice up front would be a radical move by Mikel Arteta in a game of this magnitude, but, sometimes, in big games, you do need to just roll the dice and see what happens.
Declan Rice could be a good striker option, and we’ve seen in the past how these small tactical tweaks can change games at the highest level.
| Game | Player | Position | Altered position | What happened? |
| 1999 Champions League final | David Beckham | Right midfield | Centre midfield | Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were suspended, David Beckham played centrally and assisted two goals. |
| 2006 Champions League final | Henrik Larsson | Striker | Attacking midfield | Came off the bench in a deeper, creative role, assisted two goals. |
| 2009 Champions League final | Yaya Toure | Centre midfield | Centre-back | Dani Alves and Rafa Marquez injuries led to defensive reshuffle, Barcelona won 2-0. |
| 2012 Champions League final | Ryan Bertrand | Left-back | Left-wing | Picked over Florent Malouda to provide more defensive cover, Chelsea won on penalties. |
On numerous occasions, teams have altered players’ positions in big Champions League matches, and, from time to time, it can be successful.
Mikel Arteta has never been scared of changing players’ positions either. He turned Bukayo Saka into a right winger from left back, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has become a left-back after coming through as a midfielder.
Don’t be surprised if Rice does have a spell up front against PSG, particularly if Arsenal become desperate late in the game.
Rice is an ‘immense’ player, and he could be the difference-maker here.
