Arsenal: How Declan Rice has taken his game to a new level to become 'total player' under Mikel Arteta | OneFootball

Rice has evolved to become the heartbeat of the Arsenal side marching towards the Premier League title

It was a complete performance from the midfielder, who ranked first for crosses, duels, interceptions, passes into the box, possession won, tackles, total carry distance, touches - and just about any other metric you can think of.

Rice has become the heartbeat of this Arsenal side, influencing the game at both ends of the pitch.

Nicknamed “The Horse” by his team-mates, there were just 20 seconds between Burnley hurling a long throw into Arsenal’s box and Rice charging upfield to head home the second goal on Saturday.

Rice produced the complete performance at Turf Moor

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“His position has evolved and he is becoming a total player,” said Arteta. “A total player has to be able to do as many things as possible and he has the capacity to do that.

“So that’s to evolve a player, to start to bring something else to the team, and especially when you talk about scoring goals, expecting the opposition goal, even better, and he’s been instrumental in our improvement in that part of the game.”

A big factor behind Rice’s evolution this season has been the arrival of £60million summer signing Martin Zubimendi.

In the words of Rice, the Spaniard has given him more “freedom” - and that has led to greater attacking output.

After scoring on Saturday, Rice is already halfway to matching the four Premier League goals he managed last season.

He leads the Arsenal squad for chances created and completed passes in the final third in Premier League games this season.

Rice has also comfortably been Arsenal’s best carrier of the ball, covering over 2,000 metres - some 750 more than anyone else in the team.

“I can play No6 or No8,” Rice said last month while on England duty. “I think now I am more of a box-to-box No8.

“The manager has adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year, given me a bit more freedom to drop deep but also get in the box when I can.

Rice scored Arsenal’s second goal with a header

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“Being able to get back, being an all-round action midfielder is what I want to be and I am just enjoying my football.

“Obviously I am the one that has to go and execute it, but when you have confidence in football, you feel unstoppable at times.”

Rice has utilised that “freedom” by dropping deep at times to play alongside Zubimendi.

Evidence of that can be seen in Rice’s touch map this season, which resembles a Jackson Pollock painting.

The 26-year-old is also completing more medium and long passes per 90 minutes compared to last season, underlining how he now has licence to drop deep and dictate play when the time is right.

Only Martin Odegaard has played more successful long balls for Arsenal in the Premier League this season than Rice.

The fact that Rice is also a threat from set-pieces only strengthens the case that he is now a “total player”.

Arsenal’s opener from Viktor Gyokeres at Turf Moor came from another pinpoint Rice corner.

Even with his new-found attacking threat, Rice has not abandoned the side of his game that earned him his £105m move to Arsenal just over two years ago.

He is still more than happy to get his hands dirty and does not shirk defence work. In the Premier League this season, no Arsenal player has won possession more times.

“He was everywhere [against Burnley],” said Arteta.

“We talk about evolving as a player, today showed really well what we want to do with him, the areas he is affecting the game, attacking, defending, in opposition box, our own box and set pieces. That’s what we need for him.”