Former Wimbledon midfielder Robbie Earle has heaped praise on one Arsenal star who he believes is a Player of the Year contender.
A number of Arsenal stars have enjoyed impressive campaigns so far.
Martin Odegaard has been the most creative player in the Premier League, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been dubbed the division’s best centre-back partnership, Bukayo Saka has been branded “world-class,” and Declan Rice has been a revelation at the Emirates Stadium.
How Declan Rice has taken Arsenal to the next level
The Gunners paid a club-record £105 million fee to prise the Rice away from West Ham United in the recent summer transfer window. The 25-year-old immediately hit the ground running in North London, and has established himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side.
The England man has added steel to the spine of the Arsenal team. His physicality, aggression, stamina, and ability to drive forward on the ball have all served to make the Gunners an altogether more fearsome outfit in the middle of the park.
He has also impressed with his leadership skills and character. Arteta has tipped Rice as a future Arsenal captain. Rice recently promised Arsenal fans that the team would show their fighting spirit against Wolves. The Gunners claimed an all-important win in that match, and the former West Ham man produced a powerhouse display.
On top of that, Rice has also shown this season that he is able to make an impact in the final third. The midfielder has been able to chip in with 6 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League. Rice has enjoyed the best campaign of his career to date in front of goal.
What Declan Rice can do that Rodri can’t
Robbie Earle was once again wowed by Rice after seeing him in the Gunners’ win over Wolves on Saturday evening. Speaking on The 2 Robbies Podcast, the pundit said, “Declan Rice, my friend, is a colossus. Declan Rice has got to be in the running for player of the season. Now, whether he wins it or not will be up for debate…he’s quick, as in he’s pacy quick, he can run past people [in a way] that most kind of midfielders of his ilk [can’t]…I don’t think Rodri runs past many people like Declan Rice does.”
“But he’s also got this endurance…he’s got technical ability, and he’s got really quick, clean feet. He’s like this mix of all the things you’d want in a midfield player…the biggest thing he’s got are the heart and the drive that say he isn’t going to let things happen like they did last year. Difference-maker.”
It is now vital that Rice is able to remain fit and firing on all cylinders for the rest of the season. If Arsenal are to stand any chance of being crowned champions, they need him to be available and at his best in each of their remaining games.
If Rice can carry the Gunners through to a successful end to their season then he will surely be amongst the top contenders to win the Premier League Player of the Season award. In any case, though, his first season with in North London has been a huge success and Arsenal fans are already convinced that Rice has lived up to his price tag.