Declan Rice has arguably been Arsenal’s most consistent performer this season, but his impressive form raises an important question about Mikel Arteta’s reluctance to rotate him when the team has capable alternatives waiting for their opportunity.

The England international has become central to Arsenal’s midfield, combining defensive discipline, relentless energy and an increasing influence in attack to make himself one of the manager’s most trusted players.

His contribution was evident again against Leeds United, when he helped build the move that led to Bruno Guimarães scoring the winning goal in Arsenal’s 2–1 comeback victory.

However, Rice’s importance should not become a reason for Arteta to keep him on the pitch in every match, particularly during a season in which Arsenal are competing across several competitions.

The midfielder played 69 matches for club and country last season, and reports have previously highlighted concerns about the physical demands placed on him, making sensible workload management an important consideration.

With Martin Zubimendi recently suffering an ankle injury, the need to manage Arsenal’s midfield resources has become even more pressing, although Arteta said on October 16 that the Spaniard could return against Nottingham Forest.

That uncertainty should encourage the manager to consider giving Mikel Merino more opportunities in midfield, especially against opponents who do not demand the same physical intensity as Arsenal’s toughest Premier League and Champions League fixtures.

Merino offers a different profile, with his physical presence, intelligent movement and ability to arrive in attacking positions providing Arteta with an alternative way to approach matches.

He has also demonstrated that he can contribute goals and assists, meaning his inclusion would not necessarily represent a significant drop in attacking quality.

The Spaniard's challenge is to turn those qualities into consistent performances for Arsenal, particularly after some disappointing displays have raised questions about whether he should be a regular starter or a more specialised option.

Nevertheless, keeping Rice fresh could be just as valuable as finding the perfect starting midfield combination.

If Merino can handle selected fixtures alongside Guimarães or Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arteta would have greater flexibility to rest Rice without sacrificing the team’s overall balance.

It would also give Merino a clearer opportunity to demonstrate that he deserves a more important role, rather than leaving him to rely on occasional appearances and late substitutions.

Arsenal cannot afford to become so dependent on one midfielder that his absence or declining energy levels immediately weaken the entire team.

Rice’s consistency is a strength, but managing his minutes intelligently could help preserve that consistency when the biggest matches arrive.

Ultimately, Arteta must find the right balance between rewarding Rice’s outstanding performances and ensuring that his most reliable midfielder remains physically prepared for the long campaign ahead.

Zubimendi’s injury may complicate the decision in the short term, but it should also remind Arsenal that squad depth is most valuable when the manager is willing to use it.

Sources:

[Reuters — Zubimendi close to Arsenal return, Hincapié still sidelined, says Arteta](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/zubimendi-close-arsenal-return-hincapie-still-sidelined-says-arteta-2026-10-16/)