Paul Scholes has backed Declan Rice to play right-back for Arsenal, though the position change has raised questions about the Gunners' Premier League title credentials. Rice shifted to defence during Arsenal's crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham after Ben White suffered an injury, but the midfielder's absence from the centre of the pitch prompted Mikel Arteta to reverse the decision partway through the match.
The tactical shuffle proved costly initially, with Arsenal struggling to control midfield until Rice returned to his primary role. Gary Neville expressed surprise at Arteta's original call, calling it "a big decision" to remove Rice from his natural position. However, Scholes offered a different perspective, drawing parallels to Roy Keane's versatility during his Manchester United days. "Roy played there loads and was brilliant," Scholes explained on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. "Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He's not a big creator anyway."
Concerns Over Arsenal's Creative Depth
Scholes' comment about Rice's creative limitations hints at a deeper concern for Arsenal's title push. While Rice has proven himself as a ball-winner and defensive anchor since his move from West Ham, questions remain over whether the squad generates enough attacking thrust in midfield. The centre-back injury to White exposed potential vulnerabilities in depth, forcing Arteta into a reactive reshuffle rather than a planned tactical adjustment.
Rice has featured at right-back on multiple occasions since joining Arsenal, suggesting the Gunners view the versatility as valuable insurance. Yet the West Ham performance underlined that moving him out of his anchoring role creates a void that few in the current squad can adequately fill. For Arsenal to maintain their title challenge through the final months of the season, keeping Rice in midfield—where his positioning and ball recovery have become essential—appears non-negotiable. The next fixture will test whether Arteta's midfield selection remains stable or if further experiments await.
