Position
Starts
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Defensive Midfield
239
26
59
0.35
Right-Back
127
11
44
0.43
Central Midfield
61
7
6
0.21
Centre-Back
22
2
0
0.09
Right Midfield
7
1
0
0.14
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Some might say that this would then impact Rice's game time, but given that he started 19 games last season as the team's left eight, there is no reason to believe he couldn't permanently move there at the Emirates.
In fact, in an interview last season, the former West Ham United captain revealed that while he wasn't expecting to play so many games in this new position at Arsenal, it's a development that gets him "excited."
England midfielder Declan Rice
Moreover, with seven goals and ten assists in 51 games last season, the Englishman has shown he's more than capable of influencing things at the sharp end of the pitch.
Speaking of the sharp end of the pitch, the way Odegaard would benefit from a midfield with the Bayern ace in it is really quite simple: it's extra security.
joshua-kimmich-liverpool-transfer-news-bayern-munich
If the Arsenal captain can go into a game knowing that opponents will have to get past Rice and Kimmich before they then have to try and beat the leading defence in the league and, finally, the golden glove winner in between the sticks, he'll be able to focus much more of his energy on the attacking side of the game.
Now, he'd certainly still contribute to the team defensively - I don't think Arteta will allow anyone to slack on that front - but this extra layer of safety might see him stay that bit higher in games and, in turn, become an even more effective creator for the attacking players.
Arsenal-Saka-Trossard
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Ultimately, while Kimmich is older than the players Arsenal have targeted in recent years, his immense experience and ability to control games from the base of midfield make him an incredibly appealing signing. Alongside Odegaard and Rice, the "phenomenal" star, as dubbed by José Mourinho, could help create the best midfield in the league
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