Arteta has made me better at Arsenal - Rice - video Dailymotion

Declan Rice explains how he's benefitting from Mikel Arteta's differing roles in centre of Arsenal's midfield.

Transcript

00:00 For Arsenal, they're two completely different roles.

00:02 The way Mikel wants his six to play is so different to how he wants his eight to play.

00:09 I think at times when I've been playing one up recently,

00:12 I've been the highest man up the pitch on some occasions and that's unnatural to me.

00:17 But I've been learning and I've been really, really enjoying it.

00:21 I've said all along I think my strongest position is six.

00:24 That's where I've built my career.

00:26 That's where I feel really confident.

00:27 But every time Mikel says at clubs that I'm going to play eight,

00:32 I'm really excited.

00:33 I want to go forward, score goals, drive for the ball.

00:35 I'm lucky I can play both, but there's still big areas for improvement in both,

00:41 which I'm looking forward to doing.

00:42 You look at the best sixes in the world,

00:44 Man City, Rodri, arguably the best.

00:48 How he plays, how he's always central,

00:50 how he always connects between the back line and the forward players.

00:53 How he's always in the middle of the pitch.

00:55 You're always trying to learn and be that main player.

00:59 A lot of the play comes through me and it's about being present

01:02 and always wanting the ball.

01:03 I think the more I've played this season under Mikel,

01:07 I've gained that confidence and I've got better every time he's asked me to do it.