Former Manchester United star Ashley Young believes that one Arsenal player had to overcome a major obstacle in order to impress this season.
Declan Rice may well have felt the weight of his price tag on his shoulders after signing for Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window.
The Gunners shelled out a club-record £105 million fee to prise the midfielder away from West Ham United.
Players in the past have struggled to cope with the pressure of their own price tag. There was certainly an expectation for Rice to live up to his fee, and impress at the Emirates Stadium quickly.
Even Mikel Arteta, though, may not have anticipated that Rice would hit the ground running in North London as spectacularly as he did.
In just his fourth Premier League outing for the Gunners, Rice opened his account for the club with a late winner against Manchester United. This goal sent the Emirates Stadium into raptures and truly announced Rice at Arsenal.
As the campaign went on, the 25-year-old became an increasingly influential figure in the final third. Rice enjoyed his best ever season in front of goal.
Ashley Young heaps praise on Declan Rice as Arsenal plot further midfield spending
There is now a debate about whether the England star is best in the No. 6 role, as the deepest-lying member of the midfield trio sitting just in front of the defence and focused on breaking up opposition attacks, or in the more advanced No. 8 role, which allows him to involve himself in the Gunners’ attacking play to a far greater degree.
Arteta will look to add to his midfield contingent this summer. It is vital that Arsenal sign a player who can complement Rice in whichever role he is deployed.
Ashley Young has been impressed by how Rice has dealt with his price tag and has shone for Arsenal this season. Speaking on talkSPORT (21/05/2024, 17:25), the Everton full-back stated: “I think a lot was talked about the price-tag, I think nowadays that is the standard that the prices have been hyped up.
“I think he has delivered for Arsenal, I think the first couple of games, people were sceptical, what’s he going to do, what’s he going to produce, but especially in the turn of this year, he has been fantastic for Arsenal.”
Declan Rice eager for Arsenal glory
Arsenal fans have been convinced for some time that Rice has already lived up to the fee that the club paid for his services.
The player will be keen to kick on and impress again next season, and will be desperate to help Arteta’s side achieve silverware success. Rice has already expressed his belief that Arsenal are a club on the rise with big things on the horizon.