Overview
- Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Brighton with Mikel Arteta resting Declan Rice again, highlighting his managed workload.
- Coverage of the tie noted periods of reduced midfield control without Rice, underscoring his value in breaking up attacks and dictating play.
- Reports say Arsenal are pushing to secure a new contract for Rice despite three years remaining on his current deal.
- Arsenal’s strong start continues as they sit four points clear atop the Premier League and have won all three Champions League group games.
- The media conversation is split, with Paul Scholes excluding Rice from his top midfielders and preferring Tonali, Vitinha and Mac Allister, while Ian Wright places Rice among the world’s top three and Tony Cottee calls him arguably the best.