Arteta challenges Rice to move beyond Arsenal’s ‘lighthouse’ role

Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice has developed beyond the disciplined midfield role that made him Arsenal’s “lighthouse”, and says the England international must now demonstrate a broader range of qualities.

Rice provided the assist for Bruno Guimaraes’ winning goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Leeds, continuing a strong start to the season in an increasingly influential attacking role.

Speaking after the match, Arteta revealed that he had challenged Rice during pre-season to move beyond the responsibilities he had previously been given.

“I went to him and I said: ‘You are not the lighthouse anymore. You are something else.’ At the end of the season, I can tell you what [and] where I want to take him. But he’s not the lighthouse anymore, he’s something else and he needs to prove that on the pitch,” said the Arsenal manager.

From midfield anchor to creator

Arteta used the lighthouse comparison last season to describe Rice’s importance to Arsenal’s structure, echoing an analogy Pep Guardiola had previously used for Rodri at Manchester City.

“Somebody who brings a focal point, clarity and direction to everybody. You look at him and you know where to head,” Arteta said of Rice at the time.

Rodri, who is now at Barcelona, described Guardiola’s instructions in similar terms during his time at the Etihad.

“Guardiola tells me to be the coach on the field. He compares my position to that of a lighthouse. Don’t move, let everything revolve around you,” the Spain international said.

Rice’s statistics this season indicate that his influence is already extending beyond defensive stability. He has supplied three assists from open play in six Premier League games, more than he managed throughout the whole of the 2025/26 campaign.

Two of those assists have created goals for Guimaraes, with the Brazilian scoring long-range efforts against Sunderland and Leeds. Rice also helped create Kai Havertz’s goal against Chelsea with a pass through the lines.

His average number of entries into the final third has risen by 25 per cent compared with last season. At the same time, his line-breaking passes have almost doubled, while his average number of backwards passes has dropped by 50 per cent.

Rice now plays deeper on the right side of Arsenal’s midfield pivot, a position that allows Myles Lewis-Skelly and Guimaraes greater freedom to move forward.

However, his backheel assist against Leeds demonstrated that operating deeper has not removed his ability to affect the game near the opposition penalty area. The 26-year-old continues to offer defensive protection and a threat from set-pieces, while also contributing progressive passing and creativity in open play.

That development reflects the changes within Arteta’s side, with Rice increasingly able to shield the defence, carry the ball forward and create chances as part of a more versatile midfield role.