Souness On Rice: Arsenal Star Needs To Sharpen Final Third Play

Kenji Nakamura

5 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Criticism: A Detailed Look

Souness's criticism of Declan Rice centers around his perceived lack of consistent attacking threat. While acknowledging Rice's defensive prowess and ability to control the midfield, Souness argued that Rice needs to contribute more goals, assists, and key passes to justify his significant transfer fee and elevate his game to the next level. Although specific quotes may be unavailable without referencing the exact source of Souness's comments, the general sentiment revolves around a need for more incisive passes and a more clinical presence in the final third.

• Specific examples of games: While specific game examples require further research to cite precisely, games where Arsenal struggled to create chances despite Rice's midfield dominance would serve as evidence to support Souness's point. Analyzing matches where Arsenal lacked a cutting edge despite Rice's strong performance would be crucial.
• Statistical analysis: A comparison of Rice's key pass completion rate, shots on target, and assists per game to other Premier League midfielders in similar roles is vital. This data-driven approach will either substantiate or refute Souness's claims objectively. Comparing his stats to players like Casemiro or Rodri, known for their defensive solidity and occasional attacking contributions, would be particularly insightful.
• Other pundits' views: Researching opinions from other football pundits on Rice's final-third play will provide a more nuanced perspective. Identifying whether similar concerns have been raised by other analysts adds weight to the discussion.

Analyzing Rice's Current Strengths and Weaknesses in the Final Third

Declan Rice possesses significant strengths that can be leveraged to improve his attacking play. His exceptional ball retention, ability to break up play, and accurate long passing are key assets.

• Successful long passes: Analyzing instances where Rice's long passes have initiated attacking moves, leading to shots or chances, highlights his potential to contribute offensively. This demonstrates his ability to switch play effectively and create opportunities for his teammates.
• Role in build-up play: Rice's contribution to Arsenal's build-up play should be carefully examined. Identifying areas where his positioning and passing could be adapted to create more attacking opportunities is crucial. This might involve pushing higher up the pitch in certain phases of play or making more forward runs.
• Good decision-making instances: It's essential to highlight instances where Rice's decision-making in the final third was positive, even if it didn't result in a goal or assist. This shows his potential to develop further.

However, specific weaknesses in Rice's final-third play need addressing. His shot accuracy, decision-making in the box, and the timing of his runs into attacking positions need improvement.

• Missed opportunities: Analyzing instances where Rice missed opportunities to shoot, pass, or make a decisive run will highlight areas for improvement. This might include instances of poor shooting technique or hesitant decision-making.
• Areas for improvement: Identifying specific technical aspects, such as shooting technique, passing accuracy, and decision-making under pressure, will allow for targeted training to improve these skills.
• Comparison to other top midfielders: A comparison to other Premier League midfielders with a strong offensive presence will illustrate the areas where Rice can improve his attacking contribution.

Tactical Adjustments for Rice's Improvement

Mikel Arteta can implement tactical adjustments to help Rice improve his final-third involvement:

• Increased attacking freedom: Giving Rice more license to advance into attacking positions, potentially by varying his defensive responsibilities in certain game situations, will expose him to more scoring opportunities.
• Targeted training drills: Implementing specific training exercises focused on improving his shooting and passing accuracy in the final third will enhance his technical skills.
• Strategic positioning: Positioning Rice to utilize his strengths (long passing, ball retention) more effectively during attacking build-up play will allow him to dictate play from deeper positions and contribute significantly to chances created.

The Importance of Declan Rice's Final Third Development for Arsenal's Success

Improving Rice's final-third play is crucial for Arsenal's success.

• Increased goal-scoring chances: A more attacking Rice will directly translate into more goal-scoring opportunities for the team, reducing their reliance solely on their front three.
• Enhanced attacking creativity: His improved attacking presence will make Arsenal's attacks more unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
• Improved team balance: A stronger offensive contribution from Rice will achieve a better balance between attack and defense, making Arsenal more formidable.
• Impact on title ambitions: Ultimately, Rice's improvement in the final third is directly linked to Arsenal's chances of winning major trophies, including the Premier League title.

Conclusion

Graeme Souness's criticism of Declan Rice's final-third play highlights a key area for improvement. While Rice's defensive strengths are undeniable, enhancing his attacking contribution is vital for unlocking his full potential and maximizing Arsenal's success. By addressing his weaknesses through targeted training and tactical adjustments, and by leveraging his existing strengths, Rice can develop into a more complete and impactful midfielder. His improved final-third play will not only benefit Arsenal's attacking output but also strengthen their overall balance and title ambitions. What are your thoughts on Souness's comments on Declan Rice's final-third play? Share your opinions and predictions for how Rice will develop in the coming season in the comments below. Let's discuss the future of Declan Rice and his crucial role in Arsenal's success! #DeclanRice #Arsenal #FinalThird #Souness