Declan Rice was called out for ‘performative scanning,’ but new Arsenal data shows a different side.
Declan Rice has faced some teasing from rival fans this season, with some saying he only pretends to scan the field before getting the ball. But new data shows that the Arsenal star actually has a lot more game intelligence than many realize.
On social media, some people have mocked Rice for looking around as if to show off his awareness, but then playing it safe instead of making smart moves. This led to accusations that his scanning is just for show. While the 27-year-old midfielder has been an easy target for critics online, recent research suggests his scanning is intentional and helpful.
“Performative scanning” means a player looks around but doesn’t use what they see to help their next move. However, experts from football tech company Be Your Best found that Rice does use the information he gathers from scanning when he gets the ball.
Looking at Rice’s last three Premier League games for Arsenal, the research shows his scanning is careful and planned. He regularly checks his surroundings before receiving the ball and uses that info to guide his next actions.
For example, in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, Rice made 542 scans during 53 moments when he got the ball. His scan rate of 0.55 was higher than the average of 0.53 for midfielders in the league, and 61.5% of those scans were seen as important. He also had a very high passing accuracy, completing 32 of 33 forward passes (97%), with over 62% of his passes going forward.
In Arsenal’s surprising 3-0 loss to Brighton, Rice’s scan rate was just under average at 0.52, but 68.4% of his scans were critical. His passing wasn’t as sharp that day, completing 71% of forward passes and sending 55% of his total passes forward.
Rice improved again in Arsenal’s recent win against Nottingham Forest, with a scan rate of 0.55 and 64.8% of scans marked as critical. He played 59% of his passes forward and had an overall passing success of 86.8%.
These numbers show that Rice’s scanning happens regularly and isn’t just for show. The fact that around 60-68% of his scans are important supports that he’s scanning with a purpose.
While Rice is naturally talented, scanning and deciding where to pass are skills that can be trained. Be Your Best has a virtual reality tool, using Meta Quest, where players can practice real-game situations to get better at decision-making. Arsenal teammate Martin Ødegaard and stars like Real Madrid’s Endrick and Aurélien Tchouaméni have used it.
Be Your Best CEO Andreas Olsen said, “Rice’s stats prove he scans with purpose. He’s not just turning his head but gathering useful info and then acting on it. His game against Sunderland is a perfect example — he kept collecting data but then used it well, shown by him completing 32 out of 33 forward passes.”
So, the next time you see Rice looking around on the pitch, remember it’s not just for show — he’s working smart to help his team win.