Paul Scholes names Arsenal star who ‘suits’ playing right-back as injury crisis looms | Football
Paul Scholes believes Declan Rice is ‘suited’ to playing at right-back with Arsenal facing an injury crisis in that position for the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal have been without Jurrien Timber since mid-March with Ben White deputising again on Sunday in the Premier League clash with West Ham United.
When the England international was forced off with a knee injury, Mikel Arteta called upon Martin Zubimendi from the bench, moving Rice from his midfield role to right-back.
Rice did help his side keep a clean sheet with the Gunners taking a huge step towards title glory but the positional change left Arsenal vulnerable on the transition with West Ham getting back into the game after the change.
Arteta made more changes at half-time with Cristhian Mosquera coming in at right-back with Rice returning to a more familiar role.
Rice did play the full 90 minutes at right-back against Brighton in December, excelling in that role that afternoon.
With concern for White and no indication if Timber will be back for the final weeks of the Premier League season and the Champions League final, Arteta may have to consider more emergency options.
Get personalised football updates every day
Sign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more about your favourite team.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes and Nicky Butt recalled how Roy Keane filled in at the back during his second season at the club with the former agreeing Rice can do a similar job.
‘Roy Keane played right-back for two thirds of a season,’ Butt said.
Scholes replied: ‘He played there loads because United had Bryan Robson and Paul Ince.
-
Thomas Tuchel urged to drop Arsenal star for Chelsea rival to ‘win the World Cup’
- Jamie Redknapp says £27m Arsenal star is ‘maybe the best in the world’
- Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel disagree over West Ham disallowed goal against Arsenal
- Marcus Rashford drops hint over Man Utd return after Barcelona win La Liga
‘Roy played there loads and was brilliant. Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a big creator anyway.’
With Timber missing his side’s last 12 games, White could also be set for a spell on the sidelines with Arteta admitting it ‘doesn’t look good at all.’
It leaves Arteta with a problem at right-back although Mosquera has proved reliable when shifted out wide this season.
Arsenal return to action at home to Burnley on Monday night.
MORE: Roberto De Zerbi blames Arsenal game for Spurs vs Leeds referee not being ‘calm’
MORE: William Gallas tells Chelsea to snub Cesc Fabregas and appoint La Liga manager instead
MORE: Jamie Carragher praises Arsenal for making ‘brave’ transfer decision
Paul Scholes names Arsenal star who ‘suits’ playing right-back as injury crisis looms | Football
#Paul #Scholes #names #Arsenal #star #suits #playing #rightback #injury #crisis #looms #Football
