Paul Scholes believes Declan Rice is ‘suited’ to playing at right-back with Arsenal facing an injury crisis in that position for the ultimate weeks of the season.
Arsenal have been without Jurrien Timber since mid-March with Ben White deputising again on Sunday within the Premier League clash with West Ham United.
When the England international was forced off with a knee injury, Mikel Arteta called upon Martin Zubimendi from the bench, moving Rice from his midfield role to right-back.
Rice did help his side keep a clean sheet with the Gunners taking an enormous step towards title glory however the positional change left Arsenal vulnerable on the transition with West Ham getting back into the sport after the change.
Arteta made more changes at half-time with Cristhian Mosquera coming in at right-back with Rice returning to a more familiar role.
Rice did play the total 90 minutes at right-back against Brighton in December, excelling in that role that afternoon.
With concern for White and no indication if Timber shall be back for the ultimate weeks of the Premier League season and the Champions League final, Arteta could have to think about more emergency options.
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Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes and Nicky Butt recalled how Roy Keane filled in on the back during his second season on the club with the previous agreeing Rice can do an analogous job.
‘Roy Keane played right-back for 2 thirds of a season,’ Butt said.
Scholes replied: ‘He played there loads because United had Bryan Robson and Paul Ince.
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‘Roy played there loads and was good. Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a giant creator anyway.’
With Timber missing his side’s last 12 games, White is also set for a spell on the sidelines with Arteta admitting it ‘doesn’t look good in any respect.’
It leaves Arteta with an issue at right-back although Mosquera has proved reliable when shifted out wide this season.
Arsenal return to motion at home to Burnley on Monday night.
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