Arsenal have several players in the England squad at Euro 2024 who will continue to line up alongside Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo.
The midfielder enjoyed a sensational breakout season at Old Trafford which led to him earning a place in the England squad under Gareth Southgate, and there were plenty of calls for him to start.
With Arsenal ace Declan Rice and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham taking up the other two midfield spots, there have been questions over who should slot in to complete the trio, with Rice able to play in two different roles like he has under Mikel Arteta.
Mainoo could be a player who eventually lines up alongside Rice for England, and the teenager has now heaped praise on the Arsenal star.
Kobbie Mainoo praises Declan Rice after outstanding Arsenal season
Speaking in an England press conference, Mainoo explained what makes Rice so brilliant in midfield, and claimed that the 25-year-old was worth the club record transfer fee Arsenal spent on him.
“He’s such a good player, so reliable and dominant in midfield,” Mainoo stated.
“It’s always a joy to have someone so strong on the ball next to you and you can always trust him on the pitch.
“He’s worth every penny and he’s proved that.”
Rice joined Arsenal for £105m in the summer, having also been the subject of interest from Manchester City, and this followed several years of speculation linking him with Man United.
The England star could have moved to Old Trafford in the past instead, but Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal project lured him to the Emirates, much to the frustration of former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who recently revealed that he wanted to sign Rice from West Ham.
Declan Rice’s brilliance gives Mikel Arteta and Gareth Southgate tactical flexibility
Rice predominantly played at the base of midfield in the first few months of his Arsenal career, and took to what is a difficult role with surprising ease.
Arteta then began using Jorginho in the role in 2024, and this unlocked a new dimension in Rice as he thrived in a more advanced role, recording 16 goals and assists in the Premier League for Arsenal so far.
Both England and Arsenal now know that they can deploy Rice in either position without too much fuss. Arsenal look set to recruit a number six to continue allowing Rice to push forward, but England may continue with him at the base, with Trent Alexander-Arnold in a surprise midfield role.
If Mainoo was to come into the England team, this could then see Rice move to the number eight role he currently occupies for Arsenal, and Southgate should consider himself lucky that he has such a complete midfielder available to him.