Declan Rice believes the confidence he has taken from his new role in midfield has made him feel ‘unstoppable’ for Arsenal and England this season.
With Harry Kane sidelined with an injury, Rice captained England to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Wales at Wembley on Thursday night.
Goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka secured the victory, but it was another impressive display from Rice, who, in particular, continued to build on his solid partnership with Elliott Anderson in midfield.
Rice has been an instrumental figure under Thomas Tuchel since the German’s arrival, and has also continued to flourish under Mikel Arteta so far this campaign, helping Arsenal top the table prior to the international break.
And the 26-year-old believes that the freedom to roam in midfield under both Tuchel and Arteta has been a vital part of his fine form so far this season.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘I can play No6 or No8,’ said Rice post-match. ‘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.
‘It is the same with Thomas. I think that really suits me on that left side of midfield. Being able to get back, being an all-round action midfielder is what I want to be and I am just enjoying my football.
‘I have got two managers who lay it out really easy with the game plan, what I have to do and where I have to be.
‘Obviously I am the one that has to go and execute it, but when you have confidence in football, you feel unstoppable at times.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘I ended the season really strong last year and probably didn’t start one or two games of this season as good as I wanted, but I have picked up my form now.
‘I feel really strong. I feel fit, really confident in my game and hopefully the only way is up from here for England and Arsenal.’
Rice was also keen to single out his club teammate Saka for praise after the forward became Arsenal’s highest-ever goalscorer for England with his superb first-half finish.
‘I think he’s done that a few times here at Wembley now,’ Rice said.
‘I think he did that against Ukraine once for us, putting it in the top bins when he rolled it inside.
‘To see him scoring again for England was special.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.