Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have disagreed over Arsenal star Declan Rice.

It’s been an impressive debut campaign at Arsenal for Declan Rice following his big-money move from West Ham last summer.

The Englishman was snapped up for a fee worth £105 million after emerging as Mikel Arteta’s top summer target. 

Arteta’s choice to bring Rice in has certainly been vindicated this season, with Arsenal hoping to land their first Premier League title in 20 years.

Rice has made a huge difference in the middle of the park while also surprising many with his impact in the final third this season.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has racked up 17 goal involvements and has excelled in a slightly more advanced role in recent months.

Now, Gary Neville believes Rice cannot play the No6 role to the same standard, but Jamie Carragher disagrees. 

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Neville and Carragher disagree over Rice at Arsenal

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Neville suggested that Rice can’t play the No6 role to the same level as Manchester City’s Rodri. 

“Rice is not that position,” he said. “I mean, that has been established this season. Partey or Jorginho have had to come in.

“Rodri is that position. Rice can’t play that position very well, I don’t think. He is better in that three position on the left. I think that has been established by Mikel Arteta.”

“I think he can,” Carragher disagreed. “I think what this has shown is the fact that I think most people just had him down as a central midfielder.

“I always felt his passing ability was a lot better than he was given credit for, and this thing about he can play holding midfield player, but he has shown that he can do a bit of everything, box-to-box.”

”It’s a different level of intelligence – I’m not saying Rice isn’t an intelligent player, I think he’s a sensational player – but I don’t think he can play in that position with real discipline,” Neville added.

“I don’t think Gareth [Southgate] likes him being there, he’d rather have another midfield player to play there to free him up. I think Rodri is a different level to Rice in that position – but Rice is a different level in the position that he’s in on the left.”

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Rice’s West Ham spell proved he’s among the best

While Neville makes a great point that Rice has been more effective of the left side of Arsenal’s midfield three, the Englishman is very capable in a deeper position.

It was his form at West Ham in the No6 role which ultimately earned him a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Englishman remains one of the best in the world as a holding midfielder, particularly when it comes to breaking up play and protecting the back four.

Due to Arsenal’s lack of options for the left-sided midfield role, Rice has mainly operated there in recent months and it has proven to be very effective for Arteta.

With that being said, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rice drop back into a deeper role should Arsenal land a midfielder this summer.