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Posted on May 17, 2026 5:00 pm | Updated on May 16, 2026 10:07 pm
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Arsenal are entering the biggest weeks of their season. The club are close to winning the Premier League and also preparing for a huge Champions League final. But while excitement keeps growing, new questions around Declan Rice and Jakub Kiwior have started to appear.
Declan Rice asked to make a sacrifice
Declan Rice has become one of Arsenal’s most important players this season. The midfielder has played a huge role in the club’s title challenge under Mikel Arteta. But injuries in defence have now created a new problem for the manager. During the Gunners’ recent win against West Ham, Declan Rice started at RB after Ben White picked up an injury.
As per bbc, White is expected to miss the rest of the season because of an MCL problem. On the other hand Jurrien Timber is still dealing with fitness problems. Rice did return to midfield during the second half against West Ham. This was after Arsenal began losing control in the middle of the pitch.
According to FootballLondon, Scholes said “Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a big creator anyway.” Nicky Butt also compared Rice’s situation to Roy Keane, who often played at RB during his career. Arteta may have little choice in this case if injuries continue to affect the defence.
Declan Rice’s stats across all competitions this season, as per FotMob,
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 35 4 5
EFL Cup 6 0 2
Champions League 12 1 2
READ MORE: UEFA make major Champions League change favouring Arsenal.
Jakub Kiwior – Arsenal quietly confirm first summer transfer
Away from the pitch, Arsenal have already confirmed their first transfer move of the summer. According to FourFourTwo, defender Jakub Kiwior has officially joined Porto on a permanent deal after spending the year on loan in Portugal. Porto activated the option to buy him after winning the Liga Portugal title. The deal is believed to be worth around 14 million pounds.
Arsenal confirmed the transfer through a loan update on their official channels. Jakub Kiwior did not become a regular starter under Arteta. This move now gives him the chance to play more regularly in Portugal.
However, competition for places in defence made it difficult for him to become a key part of the squad. For Porto, Kiwior adds experience and strength to their back line. For the Gunners, the sale also helps create space for future transfer activity during the summer window.
READ MORE: Christian Norgaard retires after Denmark heartbreak.
Future of Declan Rice and big weeks ahead for Arsenal
Arsenal are now just a few wins away from making history. The club can secure the Premier League title if they win all of the final matches of the season. After that, attention will fully shift to the Champions League final against PSG on 30th May.
Arteta’s side have shown strong character throughout the football season, especially during difficult injury periods. Players like Rice, Saka, and Odegaard have stepped up at important moments. Still, the final weeks will test the squad. Injuries in defence could force Arteta into tactical changes.
The decisions around the midfielder’s role may become one of the biggest talking points before the PSG final. Arsenal fans know Rice’s influence in midfield is massive. They also understand the team may need him elsewhere during this difficult period. At the same time, the club have already started preparing for the future through transfer decisions.
READ NEXT: Ethan Nwaneri in shock Chelsea transfer twist.
Author’s Opinion
Declan Rice moving to RB feels like a short-term fix rather than a long-term answer. Arsenal need his power in midfield. Still, great teams often need players to adapt during difficult moments. Declan Rice has the attitude and quality to handle that responsibility well.
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Aarya Sikder
Aarya Sikder is a Football Writer at Six Sports, contributing articles on football match developments, player performances, and news from across the football world. His work focuses on delivering engaging and informative coverage that keeps readers updated on key events and emerging storylines in the sport. Through his contributions to Six Sports, Aarya provides match reports, tactical insights, and feature articles that highlight trends and narratives shaping football today. His writing combines clarity with accessible analysis, making it engaging for both casual fans and dedicated followers of the sport.
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