Declan Rice has already learnt one thing from Bruno Guimaraes and it was so clear to see vs Coventry City

Bruno Guimaraes wasn’t even involved in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry City, but his influence was very evident.

The Brazilian joined the Premier League champions in a £75 million deal from Newcastle United earlier this summer, and he produced two tidy performances against Como and Manchester City.

On Friday night, however, Guimaraes missed the game due to a groin injury, which meant Declan Rice had to start in the middle of the park.

The England international was really good, but one stat in particular caught our eye.

Declan Rice’s line-breaking passes stat vs Coventry City shows Bruno Guimaraes’ influence

Rice wasn’t at his absolute best by any means against Coventry City, and he didn’t have to be either.

The Arsenal midfielder did what he had to do really well and was everywhere on the pitch. What impressed us, however, was how he always looked to play forward.

That is one of the biggest reasons why the Gunners signed Bruno Guimaraes this summer.

The Brazil international is one of the best in the business when it comes to line-breaking passes, and he averaged more per game than every Arsenal midfielder last season.

Rice must have seen that from Guimaraes in training over the last two weeks, and he may have learnt a thing or two.

The former West Ham man completed a career-high 18 line-breaking passes against Coventry City despite only being on the pitch for 68 minutes. (Opta Analyst)

That’s one line-breaking pass every 3.7 minutes, which is really impressive and explained why Arsenal looked so dangerous last night.

Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard will form the best midfield in the Premier League

Arsenal dominated the midfield with Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Odegaard, and all of them deserve to keep their place in the side.

However, Guimaraes will force his way in when he returns from his injury, and that will take the Gunners’ midfield to another level.

Rice, Odegaard and Guimaraes are all capable of producing a high number of line-breaking passes every game, and that should help unlock stubborn defences.

That was a major problem for Arsenal last season, but it will not be an issue anymore thanks to the trio, who, in our opinion, will form the best midfield partnership in the Premier League.