‘Really good’… Mikel Arteta impressed with one Arsenal player who played in new position last night

Mikel Arteta says he was really impressed with Declan Rice’s display at centre-back for Arsenal last night.

Speaking to the media after last night’s 1-1 draw with PSV, the Arsenal boss singled out Declan Rice for praise.

Arteta made eight changes to his side on Tuesday evening as only William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz kept their place in the starting XI after the defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Spaniard took the opportunity to rest some of his key players after Arsenal had already secured their place at the top of their Champions League group.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal weren’t at their fluid best on the night, which is largely down to the change in personnel. But after PSV levelled things up in the second half to cancel out Eddie Nketiah’s first-half opener, Arteta decided to experiment with his backline.

Indeed, Ben White came on to replace Cedric Soares at right-back and Rice replaced Saliba in the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

And Arteta has admitted he wanted to try the 24-year-old in the new position as they are currently short of options at centre-back.

PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal FC: Group B – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Arteta impressed with Rice display at centre-back for Arsenal
Speaking to Football.London, Arteta admitted he was impressed with Rice’s display at centre-back.

“We are very short at the back and I really wanted to try if something happens, how we’re going to resolve that situation,” the Arsenal boss said. “I thought he was really good.”

PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal FC: Group B – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Rice has mainly played as a holding midfielder in his senior career at West Ham and Arsenal.

But the Englishman has played at centre-back during the early stages of his career and at youth level.

It was certainly intriguing to see Arteta experiment with the idea of using Rice at centre-back. Should Saliba or Gabriel pick up an injury this season, the Gunners would be alarmingly short of quality in the position.

Nevertheless, Rice’s best position is undoubtedly in the middle of the park and barring any injuries, it seems unlikely that we’ll see him at centre-back again anytime soon.

‘Really good’… Mikel Arteta impressed with one Arsenal player who played in new position last nightPhoto by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images