Souness has previously been critical of Rice’s lack of goals
Graeme Souness has doubled down on his criticism of Declan Rice and insisted that the midfielder has more to offer.
Rice joined Arsenal in a £105m deal from West Ham last week and made his first appearance for the Gunners in a 5-0 win against an MLS All-Stars XI on Thursday.
While at West Ham, Souness claimed that the England international doesn’t score enough goals and refused to back down from his claims and believes he is right to want to see more from him.
“The only criticism I had of Declan, was that he did not get enough goals, and I am still standing by that,” he told talkSPORT.
“Just because you’re a defensive midfield player does not mean you can’t chip in with goals. He has to chip in with more.”
Despite wanting to see more from Rice, Souness believes that he will no doubt improve Mikel Arteta’s side going into the new season.
He added: “Can they make that jump from second to first because of Declan? Possibly, but needs to chip in with more goals.
“For the defensive midfielder he is, he has a defensive head, he sees the danger, deals with it, he is extremely athletic, and goes up and down the park.
“I just want him to be coming on to balls in and around the box, he is attacking, let him go.
“There is no reason he can’t get double figures every year playing for that Arsenal team.”
Related links:
- Player who signed lifetime contract with club joins rivals one year later
- Gabriel Jesus reveal’s ‘crazy’ moment that made him leave Man City
- Antonio Conte spent two hours ‘scolding’ Richarlison in front of Spurs squad
