Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has now made a bold claim about one of his Emirates Stadium teammates.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were able to agree on one thing when it came to Declan Rice.
Rice has been a revelation at Arsenal this season. The 25-year-old midfielder has shown that there is far more to his game than might initially have been imagined upon his arrival in north London from West Ham United in the most recent summer transfer window.
Rice has shown this season that he can have an impact at both ends of the pitch. He joined Mikel Arteta’s squad as one of the most highly-rated defensive midfielders in world football, but has been a threatening presence in the final third for the Gunners this season. This season, Rice has already racked up career-best numbers in terms of goals and assists.
Arteta has urged Rice to adopt a more advanced role for some time. Arsenal are now benefitting from this change to the England star’s game.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba tip Declan Rice for Arsenal role
Gabriel and Saliba have now suggested that Rice could excel in yet another role if called upon. In an interview with Stadium Astro, the defensive duo were asked which outfield player in the Arsenal squad would do the best job of deputising as a goalkeeper, if called upon.
Gabriel was quick to suggest Rice. Whilst Saliba stated that he himself would do a good job between the sticks, the Frenchman also conceded that Rice would be a reliable pick.
Of course, it is unlikely that the midfielder will ever need to don the gloves for Arsenal, though not impossible. There have been plenty of instances of outfield players needing to stand between the sticks after all of their side’s available goalkeepers have been taken out of action, for whatever reasons, during a match.
Why Mikel Arteta can rely upon Declan Rice in a crisis
Arteta won’t have done a great deal of preparation for such a scenario, but he will have at least some idea of who he would call upon if such a situation were ever to arise. A powerful physical presence, standing at 6’1”, Rice would be a sensible option to turn to.
What’s more, the former West Ham United man has already shown a propensity to step up to the plate in big moments. Rice has been described as having “Roy of the Rovers DNA”, as he has the capacity to be the hero when his side are in need of one, as he has already demonstrated this season with his late winners against both Manchester United and Luton Town.