Arsenal star labelled ‘the best English player in the Premier League’ | Football

Moving to the Emirates from West Ham for a huge fee of £105million in July 2023, Rice swatted away fears over his price tag as he has slotted seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s side.

The 25-year-old featured in every league game for the Gunners last season, registering 17 goal contributions in all competitions and becoming a key cog in the midfield engine room.

Rice then went on to play every minute for England this summer as Gareth Southgate’s side went all the way to the final at Euro 2024 in Germany.

After a sloppy red card in the third game of the season against Brighton, Rice has once again demonstrated his importance to Arsenal, with his prescence sorely missed last week as the Gunners fell to a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan.

‘He’s a big plus when you see his name on the team sheet. He leads by example, and he drags people along with him and says this is what we’re going to do today. I love his leadership qualities and his ability.

‘That’s what top players do. They set the example for the rest of the players to follow, and they bring people on the journey with them, having an impact on other players that improves the entire team.

‘He’s been a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and he’s a big reason why they are where they are now and competing at the top end of the division.’

However, not everyone is convinced by Rice’s performances this season, with former Gunners midfidler Emmanuel Petit suggesting that the Englishman has not hit his usual levels so far this season.

‘Declan Rice is the player that I’ve expected more from this season,’ he told Instant Casino.

‘I think he’s been struggling from the start of the season. The red card he received in August was probably a sign. I hope he comes back stronger, but he’s been below par so far.’

Rice is expected to be back in action after the international break when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.

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