Declan Rice is quickly becoming the heartbeat of Arsenal's midfield. Signed to be the difference-maker in the biggest games, he is now delivering performances that show why he could be the most complete midfielder in the Premier League.
The numbers from Opta tell the story. Rice leads all Arsenal players this season for carries (97), line-breaking passes (52), possessions won (26) and chances created (9).
It's rare to see a midfielder top both defensive and attacking charts, but Rice is excelling at both ends of the pitch.
His possession map shows how often he's regaining the ball in central areas before launching Arsenal's attacks. Just as telling is his carry map, which highlights the driving runs he makes through midfield. This ability to progress play has been crucial for Mikel Arteta's side, who rely on Rice to set the tempo as much as to break up opposition moves.
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Rice's evolution at Arsenal has been striking, especially when you consider at West Ham he was seen largely as a defensive shield.
Indeed, the England midfielder admitted in a recent interview with TNT Sports that Arteta has changed his game in various ways since he arrived at the club.
Declan Rice leads all Arsenal players this season for:
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 30, 2025
Carries (97)
Line-breaking passes (52)
Possession Won (26)
Chances created (9)
Is he becoming the most complete midfielder in the Premier League? pic.twitter.com/kkn4x3x7jv
"It's crazy because I didn't come here to be a set-piece taker," said Rice.
"It's something the manager sees in me and the set-piece coach sees in me, I feel like they had more belief in me than I had in myself in taking them.
"Then the more I started to take them and get confident with it, I realised I could do what they want."
Now, he's added creativity and control to his game, making him a two-way force. The England international isn’t just winning tackles and interceptions; he’s starting attacks, creating chances, and pushing his team up the pitch with confidence.
There are plenty of standout midfielders in the Premier League, from Rodri to Bruno Guimaraes, but few match Rice's all-round impact.
He offers the defensive reliability of a holding midfielder with the progressive qualities of a playmaker.
That balance is why Arsenal spent a club-record fee to bring him to north London and why he's already repaying that investment. The question now is whether Rice can maintain these levels across a long season.
If he does, Rice won't just be Arsenal's most important player - he'll stand among the best midfielders in the Premier League and beyond.
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