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Mikel Arteta shares whether he’ll play Declan Rice at centre-back for Arsenal now Gabriel Magalhaes is injured
Arsenal will have to navigate the remainder of the season without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel sustained a hamstri♌ng injury during Tuesday night’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, which ♏saw him come off after just 15 minutes.
Arsenal have now confirmed that the Brazil international is set to undergo surgery on his injury in the coming days, after whi🌳ch he will undergo rehabilitation.
The aim is for Gabriel ‘t🍸��o be ready for the start of next season’, the Gunners confirmed in a statement.
In recent days, there have been calls from some Arsenal fans for De෴clan Rice to play at centre-back in Gab💃riel’s absence.
Mikel Arteta, speakin💜g to reporters ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting🍒 with Everton, revealed whether he’s willing to play Rice in defence.
READ MORE: What Aston 𒅌Villa sources are saying about Boubacar Kamara future as Ar⛄senal circle
Mikel Arteta willing to use Declan Rice at centre-back for Arsenal but ‘hopefully it won’t be needed’
Arteta said he would “for sure” play Rice at centre-back if n🍰eeded, noting how the midfielder has played there before.
However, the Arsenal boss suggested that this would only be a last resort, implying he’ll look to use his other defe�🔥�nders first.
“We would for sure,” Arteta told the Arsenal if he was willing to pl🌱ay R﷽ice in defence.
“We tried against PSV away last season and he’s played in that posit🐷ion and hopefully it won’t be needed.
“But if it is, he’s a player who is capable of doing ไthat.”
Declan Rice’s experience at centre-back
Although Rice is a midfielder by trade, he often played at centre-back for🏅 West 🍷Ham.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Defensive Midfield | 259 | 18 | 16 |
| Centre-Back | 53 | – | 1 |
| Central Midfield | 50 | 9 | 15 |
| Left-Back | 2 | – | – |
| Right-Back | 1 | – | – |
Rဣice has played 53 times at in that position, more than he has played as a No. 8 during his club career.
He also featured at centre-back on his first ever senior international appearance, playing in defence for the Republic ꧒of Ireland in their 1-0🍌 friendly win over Turkiye in March 2018.
However, it’s understandable why Artet🧸a appears reluctant t🀅o do so – taking Rice out of midfield would weaken Arsenal considerably.
Arsenal have four primary options🍸 to r𓆉eplace Gabriel between now and the end of the season.