England star Declan Rice never took set‑pieces until Arsenal 'saw something in me that others didn't

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Declan Rice expects to get an assist "every time" England win a set-piece, after refining his delivery over the past two years with Premier League champions Arsenal and with the Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel.

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England profited from Rice’s exceptional set-piece delivery in their 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia, with the Arsenal star’s outswinging corner met by Harry Kane for The Three Lions’ second goal.

Rice has been Arsenal’s designated set-piece taker since January 2024, with The Gunners having built a reputation, and even facing criticism, for their reliance on dead-balls.

Indeed, last term they scored 25 goals across all competitions from set-pieces, including a record 19 corners.

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"Everyone's enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren't they?" Rice told BBC Sport. "Everyone's enjoying them now.

"I wouldn't ever take corners or set-pieces [before 2024], but [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn't.

"They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.

England's midfielder #04 Declan Rice kicks a corner during the 2026 World Cup Group L football match between England and Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 17, 2026.

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"As time has gone on, I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece - whether it's a corner or a wide free-kick - I feel like I'm going to get an assist or make something happen that's dangerous.

"That's a good mentality to have over set-pieces... and England fans can be excited."

Rice added that set-pieces have been worked on at England since Tuchel’s arrival as England boss in January 2025.

"We only get a small amount of time here to work on them because we have to work on loads of other stuff," Rice said.

"But also we've been putting this format and the way we're going to take set-pieces in since Thomas has come in.

"A lot of the way we've taken them hasn't changed much in terms of the movements, the way I deliver the ball...

"This has been going on in the lead-up for the past year, so the lads know what's coming... where I'm going to deliver the ball.

"So there's a real gameplan and it's just on me to deliver, and obviously the boys have to free themselves up in the box."

When are England playing next?

The Three Lions take on Ghana in Group L on Tuesday at 23:00 BST at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

There are concerns about Saka's fitness levels after he missed group training on Saturday, but Tuchel stressed: "Bukayo is ready, and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group, he will be ready."

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