Arsenal are set to battle Manchester City at the top of the Premier League again, after they came close to the title in back-to-back seasons.
Mikel Arteta’s side came just short in the title race this year, but they have closed what was a sizeable gap between Arsenal and Manchester City when he first arrived at the club.
Smart signings such as Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Odegaard have helped, and there is now a lot of quality in the Arsenal squad.
This has been recognised by Man City and their players, and midfielder Bernardo Silva has now heaped praise on two key Arsenal stars.
Bernardo Silva praises Arsenal stars William Saliba and Declan Rice
Speaking to GOAL, Bernardo Silva was asked what non-Portuguese players he would take in the Portugal Euro 2024 squad, and he named William Saliba and Declan Rice as two of the players.
“I would say Kylian Mbappe, definitely. I played with him and he’s a beast. I love him,” he stated of Kylian Mbappe.
“I’m going for one midfielder. I’m going to say Declan Rice, I really like him.
“I’m not going to say any City players so you don’t think that I’m going with friends otherwise I could have said Rodri or a striker or whatever, so I’m not going to say any teammates.
“I’m going to go with Saliba, I think he’s a really good defender.”
Declan Rice and William Saliba would start for most teams in the world
Rice and Saliba came second and third in Arsenal’s Player of the Season award, and the two arguably start for most teams in the world, including Bernardo Silva’s Portugal.
Saliba does not start for France because of continuity amongst their other options, rather than his own quality, but his blend of defensive ruggedness and sensational passing ability makes him the most valuable centre-back in the world.
Rice has excelled both at the base of midfield as well as further forward, with his improvement since his West Ham days highlighted by David Moyes, and he would be an asset to any team in either position given his combination of physicality and intelligence.