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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.

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West Ham United's Declan Rice celebrates scoring their first goal on May 21, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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