Rice registered career-best numbers in 2023/24, scoring seven times and picking up ten assists, the vast majority of which came from set-plays.
His all-round game was present against Lyon this weekend, winning 100% of his aerial battles and completing his one and only dribble.
Declan Rice vs Lyon
Minutes played
64
Touches
54
Accurate passes
28/34 (82%)
Key passes
3
Crosses
3/6
Long balls
2/2
Shots
2
Dribbles
1/1
Duels won
5/6
Interceptions
2
Tackles
3
Stats via Sofascore.
It's that multi-faceted approach - notably the ability to win duels from the left-hand side of the pitch - that proves Arsenal perhaps already have their answer to Merino.
The idea that's been proposed since the rumours began is that the Euro 2024 winner will play as the 8, meaning Rice moves further back.
Arsenal-Mikel-Merino-Arteta
However, as we saw last term, he is perhaps even better in offensive areas with the likes of Jorginho or as it was on Sunday, Thomas Partey, behind him.
So, in what way is Rice like Merino?
Well, the club's record buy has a few similar statistics from last season when comparing the two midfielders.
Rice vs Merino: Similar stats (23/24)
Stat (per 90 mins)
Rice
Merino
Progressive passes
7.77
5.91
Goals
0.20
0.18
Long pass completion
65.2%
65.9%
xA (expected assists)
0.13
0.10
Passes into penalty box
1.09
0.98
Shot-creating actions
2.79
2.36
Tackles won
1.42
1.56
Attempted take-ons
1.28
1.49
Stats via FBRef.
As we can see, in some important metrics for that no.8 role, they are very alike. Defensively they win a similar number of tackles and when it comes to some passing numbers, they are very much on par.
Interestingly, it's Merino who comes out on top for attempted take-ons, an area Rice thrived in when marauding forward last season.
Declan-Rice-Arsenal-pre-season
This isn't to say that Mikel Arteta should now ignore signing the Real Sociedad man but the knock-on effect it could have on their £105m signing should be considered.
Arsenal-Rice-Odegaard
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