Scholes: Rice 'virtually unplayable' if he cuts touches, Arsenal 3pts clear

Paul Scholes says Declan Rice could become "virtually unplayable" like Steven Gerrard if he stops taking too many touches in midfield. The Manchester United legend made the assessment after Rice's standout performance in Arsenal's 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday—the Gunners' first league victory there since 2012.

Rice burst past Noni Madueke on the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Kai Havertz's 16th-minute winner, his fifth assist in nine Premier League games this season—tops in the division. The result puts Arsenal three points clear of Manchester City at the summit.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes praised Rice's Gerrard-like power and pace but warned: "My only thing with Declan Rice, I still think he takes too many touches for a midfield player. If he decides to just play one and two touch and run, he'd be virtually unplayable." Scholes noted Rice "started to do that a little bit more" against Liverpool, combining quick passing with devastating runs.

For Nigerian EPL followers, the takeaway is clear: Arsenal's title credentials are genuine, and Rice's evolution from holding midfielder to dynamic box-to-box force could be the difference. His assist tally already matches elite creative midfielders. If he tightens his decision-making as Scholes suggests, Arsenal's attack gains an unpredictable dimension opponents can't easily plan for.

Will Rice's game management improve enough to sustain this form through the winter fixture pile-up, or will the touch-count habit resurface under pressure?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/03/epl-scholes-highlights-major-issue-with-arsenals-declan-rice/