Souness accuses Declan Rice of 'cheating' with positioning in latest Arsenal broadside

Graeme Souness has sharpened his long-running critique of Declan Rice, accusing the Arsenal midfielder of ‘cheating’ with his positioning and insisting the England international is not a true midfield player.

Speaking on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored show, the former Liverpool captain took aim at Rice’s habit of dropping between Arsenal’s centre-backs during build-up phases. “He’s last man. He’s sitting between two centre-halves or between the centre-half and the full-back,” Souness said. “It’s old man’s football. It’s cheating. An old man’s way of playing midfield. You get the ball under no pressure and you play it out to the full-back.”

The criticism is pointed given Rice’s standing in the game. The 27-year-old remains Arsenal’s record signing and was a key figure as the Gunners won the Premier League last season, while he has also been a consistent presence for England. Souness, however, argues that Rice’s deep positioning limits his overall influence on matches.

“He plays too deep to affect the game,” Souness continued. “He’s the best defensive midfielder in the country right now — he smells danger. But then again, he’s back there all the time. He’s not a midfield player then, is he? I think he may be a centre-half.”

Souness was careful to acknowledge Rice’s technical qualities, noting his ability to carry the ball and his composure in possession. “He’s a lovely kicker of the ball and opens his body up well — there’s nothing to dislike about him,” he said. “But modern players are a bit precious. Criticism doesn’t fall easily on these players’ shoulders. He isn’t the complete midfield player.”

This is not the first time Souness has questioned Rice’s credentials. The pundit has consistently argued that, despite the midfielder’s undeniable defensive instincts and physical presence, his tendency to operate in deeper areas prevents him from truly shaping games in the way the best central midfielders do.

Rice and Arsenal will be eager to provide the most effective rebuttal on the pitch as they look to defend their Premier League title in the season ahead.