A new position for Declan Rice? Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives verdict on England international's centre-back cameo against PSV in Champions League

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has explained why he played Declan Rice at centre-back during the 1-1 draw with PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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Rice brought on to play at centre-backArteta impressed by England star's displaySays Gunners are short on optionsWHAT HAPPENED?

Rice came on as a substitute after 62 minutes in the match in Eindhoven, slotting into William Saliba's spot for the rest of the game. The England international looked comfortable in the role despite PSV pressing to find the winning goal and Arteta explained he wanted to see how he would fare as the Gunners are short on defensive options.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ARTETA SAID

Asked about the decision to field Rice at the back, Arteta said in a press conference after the game: "We are very short at the back and I really wanted to try if something happened how we’re going to resolve that situation and I thought he was really good."

Quizzed on whether Rice could be used in the role moving forward, he added: "He has played there before. We have to try as if we have an emergency we have to understand and to be sure that we can fill that gap in the right way. He has a lot of composure on the ball, he wins a lot of duels for a player of his size and he has done it in the past. He is a good option."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arsenal were without long-term absentee Jurrien Timber and fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for the midweek match. Arteta could have called on 18-year-old academy players Reuell Walters or Lino Sousa to fill in for Saliba given both can play in the centre, but decided to give senior star Rice a chance as he weighs up his options for future matches.

Quizzed on why he didn't give any of the younger players on the bench a chance, he said: "I don’t think it was the right context. Making eight changes [to the starting XI] already, to throw them in there against a team that hasn’t lost at home in nearly two years, I didn’t think it was the right moment."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal had already secured their place in the second round of the Champions League as group winners before kick-off against PSV. They will now wait to find out their opponents in the last 16 as the draw takes place on Monday December 18.

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