Declan Rice can improve his offensive output like Granit Xhaka did

Arsenal continued their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, despite going down to 10 men. Eddie Nketiah won a penalty that was then duly converted by Martin Ødegaard.

It was the second successive game where Mikel Arteta played Thomas Partey as a right-back to fit Declan Rice at the base of midfield.

Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre spoke about Arteta’s tactical changes as well as Eddie Nketiah stepping in for an injured Gabriel Jesus. The four-time Premier League winner sees Rice getting more productive and why he’s confident that Eddie Nketiah can deliver for the Gunners.

In this article:

• Rice’s Increased Opportunities
• Thomas Partey isn’t a right-back
• Eddie Nketiah Can Step Up
• A 20% Uplift in Output Topples Man City
• Gamble Responsibly

---

Opportunities to score and assist will increase for Rice

With Arsenal being a possession-dominant side, Silvestre sees Declan Rice getting more opportunities to contribute on the offensive end of the pitch.

“I believe the number of opportunities for Rice to score goals and push forward will increase simply because Arsenal are a dominant team, and they will get into positions inside and outside of the box.”

He gives Granit Xhaka’s example, saying that this is a blueprint that Rice can follow.

“A bit like the way Xhaka was able to increase his goals and assists when he played in that position for Arsenal.”

“Rice will benefit going forward because Arsenal are a top team in the Premiership, and he will take advantage of it.”

Thomas Partey is helping in spreading space on the right but he’s not a right-back

The former French international also commented on Arteta playing Thomas Partey as a right-back instead of his natural position in defensive midfield.

As per Silvestre, this adjustment is made to get Bukayo Saka further up in the attack, as Partey can occupy that position. He, however, says that one cannot call Partey a traditional right-back.

“It’s an option that can be triggered whenever the space is there for him to take the position, but we can’t call him a right back now.”

“It was more of having Saka further up the field.”

Silvestre speaks further on this, saying that this allows Arteta to accommodate both Rice and Partey, with the former’s presence in midfield, allowing the Ghanaian to shift and spread space.

“It’s something they have worked on in training. The idea is to spread the field and spread the team and the space.”

“With Rice in midfield, Partey can spread the space and move out to the right side of the pitch, but he’s not a right back.”

Eddie Nketiah proved it last season that he can step up

With Gabriel Jesus out injured, Eddie Nketiah has led the line in his absence and has delivered in the first two games. The English striker scored against Nottingham Forest and won the decisive penalty against Crystal Palace.

Silvestre backed the striker, saying he proved himself last season and his playing style fits the philosophy of the team. The retired French defender backed Nketiah to keep on improving.

“Eddie demonstrated last season that he can respond and play to the level where he can score and be a good finisher in front of goal.”

“He has the qualities and fits into the philosophy. He moves well, understands positions he needs to take up in the offence, and he is calm in front of goal.”

“He’s coming to that age where he’s starting to understand the role better than he used to.”

Saka, Ødegaard and Martinelli improving their output by 20 percent will help Arsenal topple Man City

Lastly, Silvestre outlined his expectations from Arsenal’s trio of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard. Saka and Ødegaard have scored once already in this campaign, and Martinelli has an assist to his name.

Silvestre believes that if the trio increase their goal contribution by 20 percent (using last season as the base), they’ll stand a good chance of toppling Man City.

“I think last season towards the end, the goals dried up, so I think if they can all increase their output by 20%, then they’d be on top of Manchester City.”

‘It’s important that your main goalscorer and threats on the pitch deliver and score goals, so all together, they all need to step up for the crucial games.”

---

RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a responsible approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Responsible Gambling hub.