Michael Antonio has hailed an Arsenal star signed last year who has been as good as Chelsea forward Cole Palmer this season.
The Gunners made some truly excellent deals last summer with David Raya winning the Golden Glove award with Kai Havertz proving to be one of the surprise signings of the summer based on his impact this year.
With Arsenal taking the Premier League title to the final day, the moves made by Mikel Arteta this year have taken the Gunners to another level, with fans hopeful that bigger deals this summer can have a similar impact for next season.
And Antonio thinks one other signing made by Arsenal has been the best this campaign.
Declan Rice named Premier League signing of the season alongside Palmer
Speaking on the Footballer’s Football podcast, Antonio hailed his former West Ham teammate Declan Rice as the Premier League’s best signing this season, with the midfielder being a revelation for Arsenal.
The England international has seen his game evolve under Arteta with Rice enjoying his most productive year yet in the Premier League, and even at £105m, the 25-year-old is being viewed by many as the signing of the season.
READ MORE: How much Arsenal paid to sign every first-team player in the transfer market
Antonio said: “I’ve got two people I can’t pick between, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer. I can’t divide them. Of course, if you’re going to pick someone, you have to pick the attacking player given the goals they’ve scored.
“But, you can’t disregard the job Declan Rice has done at Arsenal, and that’s the reason I’m not picking and it’s a draw between those two. At the end of the day, Rice going to Arsenal has given them a great chance of winning the Premier League, he’s progressed them since last year, he’s made the difference.”
Rice already looks like an Arsenal legend in the making
Rice’s impact at Arsenal has been nothing short of incredible, with the midfielder thriving in the left-sided no. 8 role and forming amazing connections with his new teammates already.
And if Rice can maintain this level of form for the next few seasons, the 25-year-old will be on course to become a legend at Arsenal, especially if the midfielder can help the Gunners win silverware.
Indeed, Rice has strengthened his claim as one of the best midfielders in the world at Arsenal this year, and the future looks very bright in north London with the England international in the team.
