MX23RW : Friday, May 17 11:45:22| >> :120:5837:5837:

How Arsenal could line up with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Arsenal could line up next season with Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.

A new chapter of British football history is set to be written this week, as Arsenal belatedly close in on the £105m capture of England international Declan Rice from West Ham United.

The Gunners saw two bids turned down by the Hammers before striking gold on the nine-figure sum, which would see Rice become Arsenal's record signing and the second-most expensive British footballer ever.

On Tuesday night, it was reported that Arsenal and West Ham had finally shaken hands on a payment structure, which was the sole roadblock left to overcome as Rice prepares to undergo his medical.

Following Rice's arrival, Arsenal are also expected to intensify talks with Ajax over a deal for Jurrien Timber, having supposedly already reached an agreement in principle over a £40m transfer.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Arsenal could line up next season with Rice and Timber, as well as the already-acquired Kai Havertz.


ARS XI w/RIC, TIM

While much may depend on Arsenal's midfield outgoings in the coming weeks, Rice will surely be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Arteta, who may see fit to deploy the England international as his new number six.

Thomas Partey occupied that role to good effect last season, but the Ghana international cannot be relied upon to stay fit or maintain a strong streak of form for an entire campaign, and an exit could still be on the cards amid interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabia.

As a result, Rice ought to form the one-man screen in front of Arsenal's two centre-backs, although should Partey remain at the Emirates, there is every chance that the former's ball-winning and box-to-box qualities could be utilised in a number eight role.

However, Arteta has already confirmed that he plans to use Havertz as a midfielder, seemingly suggesting that the German will slot straight into Granit Xhaka's spot on the left of the trident as the Switzerland man heads to Bayer Leverkusen.

Captain Martin Odegaard's spot in the midfield is not up for debate, while Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny represent two ageing midfielders who are set to stay on, but the duo have surely already accepted backup roles for the new season.

Unless Havertz is required to fill in up front, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli should no doubt begin the campaign as the Gunners' attacking triumvirate, but there are plenty more questions to be answered in the rearguard.

Despite finding consistency at right-back, Ben White is apparently set to revert to a central role to compete with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, the latter of whom is still on the road to recovery from a back injury.

Timber was also largely deployed in the heart of the backline for Ajax last season, but the 22-year-old is equally competent as an inverted right-back and will likely line up out wide from the off alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko, who also needs no second invitation to come inside and overload the midfield.

ID:517703:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5186:

Declan Rice future - Click here for more stories

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
West Ham United's Declan Rice celebrates scoring their first goal on May 21, 2023
Read Next:
Arsenal 'reach full agreement with West Ham over £105m Rice move'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!