Patrick Vieira might still have ambitions to manage Arsenal in future, a midfielder who was so successful under Arsene Wenger at Highbury.
Wenger said he shared a ‘special relationship’ with Vieira at Arsenal, even if he did ultimately allow him to join Juventus at the peak of his powers.
Of course, Mikel Arteta will be hoping to enjoy plenty of success with his current Arsenal stars before any of them leave.
William Saliba continues to be linked with Real Madrid, a club the Frenchman seems destined to play for at some point in his career.
But Arteta will be keen to ensure that Saliba wins several major honours with Arsenal before any eventual departure — a key part of the Spaniard’s project.
Patrick Vieira explains why he loves watching Declan Rice
That being said, it was a different Arsenal player who Vieira confessed to ‘love’ watching play in an interview with The Telegraph.
Vieira started off the chat by stipulating that he thought Arsenal could turn their Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain around to reach this month’s final.
And after also praising Arteta’s work, Vieira went on to discuss how impressed he’s been with Declan Rice at Arsenal this season.
Vieira admitted that he was a huge fan of Arteta’s ‘important’ decision to move Rice into a more advanced midfield role, one that suits him ‘much better’.
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Vieira said: “I don’t like to make comparisons, because I think we are all different with our strengths and weaknesses.
“But I think first is all the credit with the manager, with Mikel, because I think from Declan being a holding midfielder, he went a little bit more as the eight.
“I think he saw the physical side of him doing the box-to-box and to be the player who can get to the box, in with the second line, and then can score goals.
“I think the change of position is quite important, so credit to Mikel for that. And then, of course, he is the player that I love watching. I love his spirit. I love his competitiveness. I like the fact that he’s always going forward and he is a winner.
“I think this position, number eight, suits him much better, because previously you can say ‘OK, he may play with the handbrake’.
“But playing as a number eight and having this will to go to the box and score goals. I think this is something that suits his style of play.”
Mikel Arteta’s midfield revamp
Of course, there’s good reason to believe that Rice will continue as Arsenal’s left-sided number eight long-term.
Arsenal are pushing to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and they are confident of landing a deal despite interest from Real Madrid.
Presuming that Thomas Partey stays, Arsenal must plan to use him and Zubimendi in the number six role next season.
Arsenal could offer Partey a new contract despite the feeling throughout the season that the 31-year-old was destined to leave upon the expiration of his contract.
And even if Partey did go, Arsenal would surely avoid any scenario in which Rice would often be required to play in a holding role.
A superb talent and one who is definitely best with some attacking freedom, as Vieira protests.
