Long term, yes.
But atm, we are better as a team with him in that role.
We just don’t have another good enough option there. Havertz or Vieira are not the answers. Maybe Havertz learns that role along the way and then we can play like that, but atm I’d definitely have Rice as an 8.
Agreed tbh at the moment, obviously that requires Partey being fit lol
Even with Jorginho (in stead of Partey) we’re better that way than having Havertz/Vieira as starters.
What did Rice do on the attacking 3rd today to claim he is a better 8??
That’s a good question.
Do we really need our 8 to spend so much time in the attacking third, or even in the penalty area as Havertz does, or do we need that guy in midfield to give us more presence and options there?
:arteta4:
Big man!
Great game by Rice
Massive all game.
Best midfielder on the field by a mile
Cause Rice is a 6.
Tremendous defensive job.
You can say we probably do better with two 6,but he is just not an 8
He has the mobility, the legs, the skills and the drive to the job as an 8 too.
We needed him to be more balanced/defensive today. In other games I can see him having more effect in the final third easily.
Going forward he can surely have a better impact than Xhaka, and he will, who already had a pretty good impact last year.
Havertz gives us nothing tbf, not even hard to be an upgrade on him.
Having his as an 8 needs to be our first option, and just watch us having a great time 
Big game performance
Legend
Cut the crap, Rice doesn’t have the skills and vision upfront to contribute much offensively.
You can bash Kai, just don’t pretend everybody is better.
Rice is a defensively player that helps out the attack once in a while, but he is no 8, end.
Mate… 
What did he do offensively you think he is a good 8??
Tell me, offensively
If he was mainly doing the defensively job, then he is a 6
Simply put he is a midfield general
This is a guy you NEED in the trenches and can go to war beside
Always stands tall
Best performance in an Arsenal shirt so far for him.
A true midfield destroyer, haven’t had this since Patrick Vieira.
And he’s ours.
He is THE transformational player for us.
Long term Partey replacement.
Thank God we did signed him.
105m is a true bargain.