Chris Sutton has named one Arsenal player as his Premier League Player of the Season over Manchester City star Phil Foden.
The England international has enjoyed his most productive season yet with Pep Guardiola’s side, with Foden hitting an impressive 24 goals and ten assists in all competitions, one more than Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
With the two youngsters enjoying their best years yet in the Premier League, it’s perhaps no real surprise that Foden and Saka are two early favorites for the Player of the Season award, an accolade that could be decided on who wins the league.
Yet for Sutton, it’s another Arsenal player who has been the best in the Premier League this year.
Declan Rice named Premier League Player of the Season by Sutton
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, the pundit named Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as his Premier League Player of the Season, with Foden coming second in Sutton’s top-five picks.
Sutton said on his top two players of the Premier League season: “In order, I’d have Declan Rice at the top of my list. Phil Foden at two, I think Rice has taken Arsenal to a new level.”
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With Sutton also naming Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz in his top five, it’s clear that the pundit has been left impressed by what Arsenal have done this season under Mikel Arteta.
Yet even when considering the defensive quality of Gabriel and the surprise package of Havertz, picking Rice as the Premier League Player of the Season is a wise choice from Sutton, with the midfielder being truly exceptional this year.
Rice deserves praise after incredible first year at Arsenal
Lauded by Gabriel as an ‘extraordinary’ midfielder, Rice’s first year at Arsenal could not have gone any better, with the 25-year-old only missing out on the Premier League title to complete the season.
Rice has adapted to life in north London perfectly, with the England international forging a fantastic connection with the fans and already becoming a cult hero at the Emirates Stadium.
And praise for Rice is more than warranted, with the midfielder easily one of the best players in the Premier League and a star for Arsenal who can take the north London side to incredible heights in the years to come.