#14 - Declan shines as Arteta watches on & Jesus pushes for top spot in rankings
Welcome back to the Fresh Arsenal digest. This week I take a closer look into Declan Rice’s performance against Arsenal, we update the Power Rankings and there’s a brand new podcast to listen to. Enjoy and subscribe for free if you haven’t already! I’d love to hear your feedback so feel free to comment below.
Declan dominance highlights why Arteta wants to sign him this summer
Arsenal went from total control to not control very quickly on Sunday at West Ham and their lack of a functioning midfield was very much at the heart of that.
There’s a number of factors as to why Arsenal couldn’t create much after those opening two goals, including a deeper than usual back four, imperfect individual performances in the heart of midfield but something else will have stood out to Mikel Arteta, the performance of Declan Rice.
Arsenal have started to emerge as transfer favourites for Rice, who looks almost certain to leave West Ham in the summer.
Rice isn’t able to fully demonstrate his on the ball ability in this West Ham team and there will be a level of projection made from Arsenal as to how he could adapt to a more dominant teams system. But what is clear is his physicality and ability to help in transitions and duels.
Rice made 11 ball recoveries against Arsenal, the most on the pitch. Arsenal’s Gabriel managed 10, but the next highest on the pitch was Paqueta and Bowen with 6.
Rice led the charts in terms of tackles too (4), no Arsenal midfielder managed more than 1 in the game. Rice’s pressing of Thomas Partey ultimately led to the West Ham penalty. Another of Rice’s successful tackles came deep into Arsenal’s own half, perhaps showing Rice’s potential to be able to play in a more advanced role. Rice also led the way in terms of tackles (4), double the tally of anyone else on the field.
As Arteta looked to freshen things up, both in this game and at Anfield, the lack of a senior midfield he trusts off the bench was clear. Emile Smith Rowe is unused lately and Fabio Vieira is only trusted with a few minutes. Jorginho brings some calming qualities but Arteta didn’t bring him on at Anfield, clearly hesitant to introduce him into a physical, transitional game.
It’s very clear to see why Arteta wants one or two top midfielders to join this squad in the summer and even clearer to see why Rice appears to be top of that list.
Podcast: Two two two’s
PB and Pet are back to discuss Arsenal's title chances after back to back 2-2 draws. Holding/Tierney debate and more.
Power Rankings update as Gabriel Jesus heads for top spot
Risers: I said last week it probably wouldn’t take long for Gabriel Jesus to get to the top end of these rankings and he’s already here. Jesus is flying, four goals in three games and his performances have been equally as good. He’s up four places to second.
Martin Odegaard has been second or third for much of the season and he’s bounced back from a drop to fifth after Liverpool (a) to third after his goal against West Ham.
Ben White was one of the better players against West Ham and his assist for Arsenal’s opener sees him up to sixth.
Fallers: Bukayo Saka has held top spot for most of the season but after a difficult day against Liverpool, he had a quiet game against West Ham and missed a crucial penalty. Are all those minutes catching up in his legs at the wrong time? Personally I think he will bounce back and be towards the top again very soon.
Thomas Partey had probably his worst game of the season against West Ham. His mistake that led to West Ham’s penalty seemed to completely throw him off and more mistakes followed, he’s tumbled down six places.
After his heroics at Anfield, Aaron Ramsdale is back down three places. Fans will feel he could’ve done more to stop Bowen’s goal.