Declan Rice is quietly proving to his doubters that he is clearly not a centre back

Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and the world, but Graeme Souness will have you believe the England international is actually a centre back.

The former Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Scotland midfielder bizarrely criticised Arsenal's number 41 earlier this year, claiming in both July and September that he is more of a defender and wouldn't be capable of playing for his side's top European rivals.

Naturally, rival fans and some of the Gunners' harshest critics lumped in to agree with Souness and make similar claims, but Rice's fine start to the 2026/27 season is seeing him quietly prove to his doubters that he is clearly not a centre back.

Declan Rice is quietly proving to his doubters that he is clearly not a centre back

Throughout his criticism of Rice, Souness has been clear to claim that the midfielder "doesn't have enough football in him" and also pointed him out as being the last man in the build-up as he sits between his side's defence.

The Scotsman feels the England international plays too deep to affect the game and his regular positioning as a defensive midfielder actually makes him a centre back. Yes, I know, it's very strange isn't it.

Rice surely hasn't let the criticism of his footballing ability and style affect him too much, but there is no denying he is doing an absolutely outstanding job of replying to Souness and any other critics.

He absolutely ran the show as Arsenal defeated Souness' former side Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, and he played a key part in the winning moment as he made a brilliant run on the overlap down the right to send a teasing cross in for Kai Havertz to fire in at the back post.

While his biggest involvement came in attack, an area where he is supposedly lacking, he also helped out defensively to prevent the Reds from finding the net and even having a shot on target for the first ever time in a Premier League game at Anfield.

His cross for Havertz took his assist tally for the league campaign to five, which currently sees him top the leaderboard ahead of the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Pascal Groß. Not bad for a centre back.

Rice has also got himself on the scoresheet in the Champions League as he netted a crucial equaliser in a 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich when he darted in to the box to latch on to Viktor Gyökeres' lay-off and beat Manuel Neuer with a fine effort.

Even just taking a look at the most basic stats, it's clear to see Rice isn't a centre back. Souness' initial criticism was incredibly bizarre and the decision to stand by that claim is even stranger, but the England international isn't letting that bother him as he is still playing his best football as one of the best midfielders in the world in a bid to retain the Premier League title and achieve European glory with Arsenal.

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