Arsenal's Rice: Graeme Souness Points To Final Third As Area For Development

Hugo van Dijk

4 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Criticism: A Deeper Dive

Souness, a legendary midfielder himself, didn't pull any punches in his assessment of Rice's attacking capabilities. While acknowledging Rice's defensive prowess and midfield mastery, he pointed to a noticeable lack of consistent goal contributions and creative impetus in the final third. Although specific quotes may vary depending on the interview, the essence of his critique consistently focused on Rice's decision-making in the attacking phase and his passing accuracy in the final third. Statistically, comparing Rice's goal and assist numbers to other top Premier League midfielders reveals a gap in his offensive output. This isn't to say he's incapable, but rather that a concerted effort towards improvement is needed.

• Lack of consistent goal contributions: While Rice has shown flashes of attacking brilliance, consistent goal-scoring and assists remain a notable area for growth.
• Areas for improvement in passing accuracy in the final third: His passing accuracy, while generally high, drops slightly when approaching the opposition's penalty area, indicating a need for more precise and creative passing in key moments.
• Decision-making in the attacking phase: Sometimes, Rice opts for safer, simpler passes instead of taking risks and making decisive plays in the final third, a habit that needs to be addressed.

Rice's Strengths: Building a Foundation

Before focusing solely on improvement, it's crucial to acknowledge Rice's existing strengths, which provide a solid foundation for building his attacking game. His defensive capabilities are undeniable. He’s a master of ball recovery, a tenacious tackler, and a commanding presence in the midfield. This defensive solidity allows him to dictate the tempo of the game, win back possession, and create opportunities for transition plays. His strong physical presence and leadership qualities are also invaluable assets.

• Excellent ball recovery and tackling: Rice consistently wins back possession, providing Arsenal with a strong platform to launch attacks.
• Strong physical presence and defensive leadership: His strength and leadership skills are crucial for Arsenal's overall defensive structure.
• Ability to dictate the tempo of the game: Rice's positional sense and composure allow him to control the midfield battle and influence the rhythm of the game.

Potential Areas for Improvement: Tactics and Training

Improving Rice's final third play requires a multi-pronged approach involving tactical adjustments and dedicated training. Arsenal's coaching staff can play a vital role in his development. Specific drills and exercises can target his weaknesses and hone his skills.

• Increased shooting practice: Focused sessions on shooting from different angles and distances can dramatically improve his finishing accuracy and power.
• Improved weight of pass training: Drills focused on weighting passes to exploit spaces and create scoring chances are essential for improving his final-third delivery.
• Tactical awareness sessions focusing on late runs into the box: Understanding the timing and positioning for late runs into the box, capitalizing on defensive lapses, can yield significant results.
• Working on combinations with attacking players: Developing a stronger understanding and chemistry with Arsenal's attacking players is critical for creating fluid attacking movements.

Comparing Rice to Other Top Midfielders

To gauge realistic improvement goals, comparing Rice's statistics to other top Premier League midfielders offers valuable insights. Looking at key metrics like goals, assists, and final-third pass completion rates against players like Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes reveals areas where Rice can strive for improvement. While it's unrealistic to expect him to reach their offensive output immediately, aiming for incremental improvement in these areas is crucial for his overall development.

• Comparison with similar players in terms of goals and assists: Analyzing the goals and assists of similar midfielders helps set realistic targets for Rice's offensive contributions.
• Analyzing pass completion rates in the final third: Examining pass completion rates in the final third provides a quantifiable measure of his passing accuracy and decision-making.
• Highlighting differences in decision-making: Comparing the frequency and type of attacking decisions made by top midfielders reveals areas where Rice can refine his choices.

Declan Rice's Arsenal Journey: Focus on Final Third Development

In conclusion, while Graeme Souness's critique of Declan Rice’s final third play is valid, it's essential to remember his existing strengths. By focusing on improving his decision-making, passing accuracy, and finishing, coupled with tactical adjustments and dedicated training, Rice can significantly enhance his offensive capabilities. Under Mikel Arteta's guidance, his potential for growth is immense. Let's watch closely as Declan Rice refines his final third play, aiming to become a complete midfielder for Arsenal. Will he prove Graeme Souness wrong? Only time will tell!