**Mikel Arteta could hand Declan Rice a more flexible role as Arsenal continue to reshape their midfield ahead of the new season.**
Rather than operating permanently as an advanced number eight, Rice could increasingly drop deeper during build-up while retaining the freedom to attack the box.
Rice has developed considerably since his £105million move from West Ham in 2023. His responsibilities have already shifted from a traditional holding role into the all-action position which helped Arsenal win the Premier League last season.
Arsenal are also continuing to assess their midfield options. [ReadArsenal previously reported that the Gunners are pursuing Bruno Guimaraes as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen the centre of his squad](https://readarsenal.com/2026/07/26/arsenal-handed-bruno-guimaraes-opening-after-eddie-howe-admission/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Rice’s versatility gives Arteta several options when his full squad returns following the World Cup.
[BBC Sport previously detailed how Arteta developed Rice into a hybrid midfielder who can start deeper alongside Martin Zubimendi before using his running power to join attacks](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn091zqqzv0o?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Rice described himself as a box-to-box number eight and explained that Arteta had given him greater freedom to drop towards the ball before moving forward when opportunities emerged.
That ability could become increasingly important this season.
Arsenal have Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze available in advanced areas, while Zubimendi can dictate possession from deeper positions. Myles Lewis-Skelly has also emerged as another central midfield option.
Using Rice deeper at certain stages would allow Arsenal to maximise one of his biggest strengths: winning possession and carrying the ball through pressure. It could also give Arteta greater freedom to field more creative players ahead of him when Arsenal face compact defensive sides.
However, this should not be viewed as Rice simply becoming Arsenal’s permanent number six.
His value comes from being able to influence several phases of a match. Arteta can use him deeper during build-up, release him into the final third and alter that responsibility depending on Arsenal’s opponent.