Michael Owen has heaped praise on Arsenal star Declan Rice but believes he is best suited to a defensive midfield role in Mikel Arteta's side.
The Englishman has started the last two games as a left-sided number eight for Arsenal. He has been given the freedom to play as an attacking midfielder when the Gunners have possession, and he has done pretty well. Owen, however, claimed on TNT Sports that he prefers him in a deeper role.
The 24-year-old is an amazing footballer. He mostly played as a six for the Hammers and that's usually his role under Gareth Southgate in the England setup as well.
However, Mikel Arteta has used him in a more advanced role on plenty of occasions this season, including in the Champions League against Sevilla last night.
Rice had a really good game in his attack-minded midfield role, but Michael Owen is still adamant that his best position is in front of the back four.
The Ballon d'Or winner said on TNT Sports: "I do watch him and I do genuinely believe he's more of a sitting midfielder. That's not to say that shackles him, he can still go on the odd marauding run when the time is right.
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"But in general, I don't see him as a player that is a number 10 that can play with his back to goal and things like that.
"He is a massive man, he's a mountain of a man. To stand in the middle there and patrolling the back four is what I think he does best."
Mikel Arteta is right to use Rice in an advanced role When Arsenal have nobody else available, using Declan Rice as a number six makes sense.
The Englishman, along with Rodri, is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League, but Rice can do so much more than just patrol the back four.
The 24-year-old showed yesterday how dangerous his driving runs towards goal can be. He is deceivingly quick and his power makes it very difficult to stop him when he's charging forward.
When Thomas Partey or Jorginho is available, we think Arteta will continue to use Rice as a left-sided number eight. That role suits both him and Arsenal as he'll be able to have an impact in attack as well as defence.