Overview
- Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Brighton with a heavily rotated side, with Declan Rice not starting and periods of reduced midfield control noted.
- Mikel Arteta is protecting Rice’s workload, having left him out of the starting XI in both Carabao Cup ties for just 22 minutes played in the competition.
- The club is reported to be working on a new contract for the 26-year-old despite three years remaining on his current deal.
- Arsenal’s wider form remains strong, sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League and unbeaten in three Champions League group matches.
- Pundit reaction diverged this week, with Ian Wright placing Rice among the world’s top three and Tony Cottee praising his completeness, while Paul Scholes said Rice is not his preferred midfield type.