Declan Rice says he has "tried to emulate" Liverpool legend ahead of Tottenham game

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has said that he has tried to emulate Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard since playing as a box-to-box midfielder under manager Mikel Arteta.

The 27-year-old started his Gunners career as a holding midfielder, but he has moved into a more central role over the past 18 months. Rice has now established himself in the position, with Martin Zubimendi being the regular from the number six slot.

The pair have interchanged places on occasions, but Rice has played as the most advanced of the two and has had a particular preference for the left flank. In an interview with Sky Sports, Rice covered several topics and made a special mention of Gerrard.

Rice said that he has tried to emulate the former Liverpool captain since moving into the number eight position and believes it has really helped him.

He said: “I’ve just tried to work as hard as I can and give it everything I’ve got. I watched a podcast of Steven Gerrard with Rio Ferdinand the other week, and he was talking about himself as a midfielder.

“He didn’t put him down to that one thing. He said he’s a midfielder that could have done a bit of everything, but he was the best at doing everything.

“He’s someone that I look up to because of how he was on the pitch, his demeanour, how he took games by the scruff of the neck, the fight he showed, the passion.

“Over the years, I’ve tried to watch him as much as possible and I think I’ve started to grow into that much more.

“I’m still a long way off before I hit his level, but he’s someone I’ve tried to emulate since I’ve moved into this box-to-box role and it’s really helped me.”

Rice has had another productive campaign for the Gunners with goal contributions. He has registered four goals and 10 assists from 37 appearances in all competitions.

This has included 10 goal involvements in the Premier League. He is set to make his 100th top-flight appearance for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

Arsenal have dropped costly points away to Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last two outings, and need to return to winning ways against Spurs on the road to extend the slender two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the league standings.

Rice provided a fine assist for the second goal in the 4-1 rout of Spurs at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, and will be determined to make his mark in the north London derby again.

We anticipate at least three changes to the starting line-up from the disappointing 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers. One of Arsenal’s main defenders could be dropped.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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