Souness On Rice: Arsenal Star Needs Final Third Boost For World-Class Potential

Luna Greco

5 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

4.5

Share

Declan Rice's Strengths: A Solid Foundation

Declan Rice has quickly established himself as a key player for Arsenal, and his strengths are readily apparent. His contributions extend far beyond simple ball recovery; he's a complete midfielder with a strong base to build upon.

Defensive Prowess and Ball Recovery

Rice excels at disrupting opposition attacks and protecting Arsenal's backline. His defensive skills are a cornerstone of the team's success.

• Exceptional tackling ability: Rice consistently wins tackles, demonstrating both timing and technique.
• Strong in aerial duels: His height and strength give him an advantage in aerial battles, allowing him to win back possession in the air.
• Intelligent positioning: Rice displays an innate understanding of the game, anticipating opponent movements and positioning himself effectively to intercept passes.
• Reads the game well: His ability to read the game allows him to make crucial interceptions, disrupting opposition attacks before they develop.
• Crucial interceptions: Time and again, Rice makes game-changing interceptions, showcasing his defensive awareness and composure under pressure.

Keywords: Declan Rice Defensive Skills, Rice Tackling, Arsenal Midfielder, Ball Recovery, Defensive Prowess

Physicality and Athleticism

Beyond his tactical acumen, Rice possesses exceptional physical attributes that allow him to dominate midfield battles.

• Excellent endurance: His stamina is remarkable, enabling him to maintain a high level of performance throughout matches.
• Powerful runs: Rice is capable of driving forward with the ball, carrying it effectively through midfield.
• Physical presence: His physicality allows him to shield the ball effectively and win possession in tight situations.
• Wins ground duels: His strength and determination allow him to come out on top in many 50/50 challenges.

Keywords: Declan Rice Physicality, Arsenal Strength, Midfield Dominance, Athleticism, Physical Attributes

The Missing Piece: Final Third Impact

While Rice's defensive capabilities are world-class, his final third contributions need significant improvement to reach the same level. This is the area Souness highlighted as needing attention.

Goal Contribution Needs Improvement

Despite his overall excellence, Rice's goal and assist numbers are not yet reflective of a truly elite midfielder.

• Limited goals scored: Increasing his goal tally is crucial for elevating his overall game.
• Relatively few assists: Creating more chances for teammates will be a key focus in his development.
• Needs to improve shot accuracy: Working on his shooting technique and decision-making in front of goal will yield significant results.
• Decision-making in the final third: Improving his decision-making under pressure in the attacking third will lead to more positive outcomes.

Keywords: Declan Rice Goals, Assists, Final Third Play, Offensive Contribution, Arsenal Goals, Goal Scoring

Creative Passing and Vision

Developing a more creative and incisive passing game will unlock a new dimension to Rice's already impressive skillset.

• Needs to improve key passes: Practicing weighted passes, through balls, and incisive passes will create more chances for his teammates.
• Through balls: Mastering the art of delivering precise through balls will be a significant improvement to his arsenal.
• Overall vision in advanced areas: Improving his vision and awareness in the attacking third will allow him to create more scoring opportunities.
• Better understanding of teammate runs: Anticipating the movements of his teammates will allow him to deliver more effective passes into dangerous areas.

Keywords: Declan Rice Passing, Creative Midfielder, Arsenal Playmaking, Vision, Through Balls, Key Passes

Path to World-Class Status: Areas for Development

To reach his full potential, Rice needs focused development in specific areas of his game. This requires dedicated training and tactical adjustments from both the player and the coaching staff.

Shooting Practice and Technique

Improving his shooting accuracy and power is a priority for Rice's development.

• Improve shooting technique: Working with coaches to refine his technique, focusing on striking the ball cleanly and consistently.
• Work on different types of shots: Developing proficiency in various types of shots, including inside-foot, outside-foot, and volleys.
• Practice shooting under pressure: Simulated game situations will help him develop the composure to perform effectively under pressure.

Keywords: Declan Rice Shooting Technique, Shooting Practice, Arsenal Training, Goal Scoring, Shot Accuracy

Tactical Awareness and Positioning

Improving his tactical awareness and positioning in the final third will increase his involvement in attacking plays.

• Learn to anticipate teammate movements: Understanding his teammates’ runs and positioning will allow for more effective passing.
• Exploit space effectively: Identifying and exploiting gaps in the defense will create more scoring opportunities.
• Become more involved in attacking phases: Actively participating in the build-up play and making late runs into the box will increase goal-scoring opportunities.

Keywords: Declan Rice Tactical Awareness, Offensive Positioning, Arsenal Tactics, Attacking Midfielder, Tactical Development

Conclusion

Declan Rice's defensive capabilities are already world-class, but to reach the same level in all aspects of his game, he needs to significantly enhance his final third contributions. Souness's comments highlight the path forward: focused work on shooting accuracy, creative passing, and improved offensive positioning. With dedicated training and tactical adjustments, Rice can become a truly dominant, all-around midfielder. Refining his final third play is the key to unlocking his full potential and achieving the world-class status many anticipate. Let's see if Arsenal can help Declan Rice refine his final third impact and achieve his full potential.