Graeme Souness has renewed his criticism of Declan Rice, even as the Arsenal midfielder plays a pivotal role in the Premier League champions’ perfect start to the season. Rice contributed to Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, but Souness remains skeptical about the England international’s positioning on the field.

Souness expressed concerns during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored, claiming that Rice often drops too deep during Arsenal’s build-up play, which he believes limits Rice's influence in more advanced areas. He stated:

How many times do you see him as the last man with the ball? In the build-up, he’s last man. He’s sitting between two centre-halves or between the centre-half and the full-back. It’s old man’s football. It’s cheating.

While Souness acknowledged Rice’s defensive capabilities, he emphasized that Rice plays too deep to significantly impact the game. He noted that Rice is currently the best defensive midfielder in the country but often finds himself in a position where he is not contributing offensively.

Statistical insights from Opta Analyst highlight Arsenal’s control in midfield, with Rice central to their pressing and defensive strategies. Although Souness raises valid tactical points, modern midfield roles are more fluid than in his playing days. Rice's positioning may be a tactical directive from Mikel Arteta, aimed at helping the team build under pressure while freeing up other players.

Rice’s value extends beyond creativity; he covers vast ground, protects transitions, and ensures defensive security when full-backs advance. Nevertheless, there remains potential for Rice to enhance his influence in offensive situations. The £105 million midfielder has shown he can score, create, and assert himself higher up the pitch, and finding a balance between his defensive duties and attacking freedom could yield even greater results for Arsenal.