Now the season has finished, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has now been lifting the lid of the club’s training sessions this year.
Mikel Arteta has made a ton of progress with his playing staff in the 2023/24 season, even if that has perhaps left some players behind.
Arsenal now have a long list of players who seem to be on the periphery of things, starting with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
There’s then Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah just to mention a few.
It seems very unlikely that all of those names will leave, but Arsenal will need to move players on to make way for those who join.
Fabio Vieira is reportedly at risk of being sold given his poor performances in training, a lot of change can be expected.
But Arsenal will keep the bulk of their core squad together, and will look to repeat the success of last summer when bringing in Declan Rice.
Rice has been a transformative signing for the club, and has helped to raise the standards at the Emirates.
Declan Rice admits Gabriel Jesus slightly edges his Arsenal captain in training
That being said, Martin Odegaard has also led by example this season, the club’s captain who excels in all areas.
But when speaking to Chinese website Iqiyi, Rice actually admitted that one of his Arsenal teammates edges in Odegaard in training.
Gabriel Jesus, who has been linked with a move away himself this summer, was chosen by the England midfielder, who hailed the levels he displays every day.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus from his height to girlfriend
Asked who was the best trainer at the club, Rice said: “I think it’s either Gabriel Jesus or Odegaard, one of them two, they are just so good at football.
“Probably Jesus but Odegaard is there as well, they’re both just so good. The stuff they do with the ball is unbelievable. To see it, it’s so good!”
Of course, it would still be a shock if Jesus was allowed to leave this summer, a player who has been so integral to the upturn under Arteta in recent years.
But with Kai Havertz now so effective as a false nine, the Brazilian does almost feel like a spare part.
And with Arsenal being strongly linked with several strikers, there is slight uncertainty around what role Jesus will play moving forward.