Jamie Carragher can’t believe what Gary Neville has just said about Arsenal’s Declan Rice

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Among all the narratives attached to Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s North London derby, Declan Rice’s absence is as big a factor as any.

Rice will be suspended for the game, given the controversial second yellow card he received when Arsenal were eventually held by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now dropped two points on Manchester City already, explaining why they will still need to seek a win on Sunday, regardless of who is missing.

Of course, Martin Odegaard is now injured and won’t face Spurs himself, meaning Arteta will field a very unfamiliar midfield trio for the derby.

Thomas Partey should keep his spot, but otherwise it’s anyone’s guess who will complete the three.

Gary Neville thinks Declan Rice’s best position has completey changed

That being said, when speaking on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes have all been debating Rice’s best position for Arsenal.

Neville started the debate, posing the question to Scholes, and then Carragher wasn’t happy with his fellow pundit’s conclusion.

READ MORE: Ian Wright completely disagrees with Paul Scholes’ North London derby score prediction

Neville asked: “When you look at Declan Rice now in central midfield, do you think he can play that deep lying midfield role? You do think he can play that?”

Scholes replied: “Yeah, I think it’s his best role, yeah.”

Neville: “You do think he’s better deeper? That surprises me.”

“I don’t think he can get the ball off the back four the way in which a Rodri can.”

Carragher interrupted: “I know but that’s so harsh, that is so harsh.”

Scholes: “I think that’s his biggest strength.”

Neville then defended his argument saying: “I think he’s better in that left channel for Arsenal with Jorginho sitting. I honestly believe he’s better running forward.

“I think in the six, I’m not saying he’s not a competent player in the six. I’m talking about in the tournament when we’re talking about, get on the ball, get us playing, keep us moving, get control of the game. I’m not sure that’s what he does.”

Arsenal need to find their Thomas Partey replacement

Although he stayed at the club, Arsenal were willing to sell Partey this summer according to reports. 

Seemingly no buyer arrived, and Partey will see out the final year of his contract in north London.

But given his injury history, it currently seems unlikely that Arsenal will offer the 31-year-old a new deal, it’s time to move on.

And with that in mind, and Rice now performing so well as an eight for Arsenal and now England, signing an elite number six should be a priority.

Perhaps Arsenal could use Partey in a swap deal to sign a star from Barcelona, who are reportedly interested in the Ghanaian.

Otherwise, the Gunners might be best off trying to tempt Martin Zubimendi away from Real Sociedad once again.