Thierry Henry explains why 'weird' Declan Rice Arsenal role was crucial to Sevilla win

Thierry Henry has labelled the role of Declan Rice in Arsenal's Champions League win over Sevilla as «weird» amidst heaping praise on his complete performance. The Gunners picked up their second victory in Europe with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Sevilla in Spain.

Goals either side of half time for Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal in control, however a header from Nemanja Gudelj forced Arsenal to defend their box valiantly for the final 30 minutes. Rice made countless interceptions in the second period as he helped Arteta's side move onto six points in Champions League Group B.

On CBS Sports Golazo, Henry was quick to heap praise on Rice, but it was not for his defensive contributions, it was instead his crucial role in building attacks for the Gunners and winning possession back high up the pitch. «We were wondering where Declan Rice was going to play and it was pretty easy to say that on the ball when they were low, they were always trying to free him in the build up to try and find,» the Arsenal legend said. «With Tomiyasu, you would have thought he would do what Zinchenko normally does it but they didn't want him on the ball, they were trying to find this guy [Rice] behind Dodi Lukebakio which they did.

»He had a weird role on the night Declan Rice as he was low to build up and high to press. We talk about an offensive balance and you have a 2-3-5 with Ben White on the side and the two holding as Jorginho and Declan Rice but there is something very interesting. When White goes, Saka has to stay and keep the shape of that offensive balance which Sevilla didn't deal with.

«Saka keeps the structure of the team, Odegaard comes but he will never go high unless they switch. Off the ball, he [Rice] plays