According to a report by the London Evening Standard on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta plans to use him more frequently in a deeper midfield role, a position he believes allows him to perform at his best.

The England international discussed his changing responsibilities at Arsenal during an interview featured in the latest British GQ Men of the Year issue. He also spoke about adapting to Arteta's tactical demands, his decision to leave social media platform X and the pressure of competing for major trophies.

Rice previously operated mainly as a number eight, where he was expected to contribute to both attacking and defensive phases. However, he now understands that Arteta intends to deploy him more regularly as a number six, giving him a deeper role in front of the defence.

The 27-year-old believes the adjustment could make his responsibilities more manageable by reducing some of the physical and mental demands associated with his previous position. Playing deeper would also allow him to concentrate more on controlling the midfield, organising teammates and protecting Arsenal's defensive structure.

Rice explained that understanding Arteta's football philosophy required considerable patience. He admitted that it took him approximately a year to fully understand the manager's detailed instructions and the level of organisation expected during matches.

The midfielder compared his current experience with his previous years at West Ham United, where the style of play was less structured. He also recalled warning Christian Norgaard that adapting to Arteta's methods could take six or seven months.

Beyond football, Rice addressed his relationship with social media and explained why he abandoned X three years ago. According to the midfielder, negative comments from users could affect his mood and make it difficult to maintain a positive outlook.

He acknowledged that hurtful messages could ruin his day, which influenced his decision to leave the platform. Rice has not returned since deleting his presence there.

The Arsenal star also expressed concern about the influence of social media on younger generations. He believes excessive exposure to online platforms is becoming a serious challenge for children, particularly because of the negative content they may encounter.

Meanwhile, Rice made it clear that his ambitions remain high despite the disappointment of losing last season's Champions League final. He remains motivated by major competitions and wants to achieve more success with Arsenal.

His comments provide an insight into how Arteta intends to use one of his most important midfielders as the club continues pursuing its ambitions. The possible move into a regular number six role could also influence how Arsenal organise their midfield in the coming matches.