Emmanuel Petit has labelled Arsenal star Declan Rice ‘the most effective midfielders in trendy soccer’.
Rice joined the Gunners from West Ham United final summer time in a deal value in extra of £100m (per BBC Sport).
Since then, the England worldwide — who was a key a part of the Three Lions squad that went to the Euro 2024 closing this summer time — has performed greater than 50 video games for Arsenal.
Final season, the 25-year-old notched seven targets and eight assists in Premier League play, whereas he ranked within the prime three amongst his teammates for passes accomplished (2,019), possibilities created (47), tackles (83) and interceptions (44).
That was sufficient to assist Arsenal end second solely to Man Metropolis within the Premier League title race, taking the battle all the way in which to the ultimate day earlier than finally settling for a silver medal.
Petit lavishes reward on Arsenal star Rice
There’s no doubting Rice’s standing within the recreation now. In truth, Petit charges the previous West Ham captain so extremely that he locations him among the many world’s greatest in his place.
“Positively, he is among the greatest. I’m an enormous fan of Declan,” Petit informed Get Soccer Information France. “Even when he was taking part in for West Ham. I used to be very comfortable, two seasons in the past, when Arsenal purchased him.
“He’s a born chief. He has additionally improved lots as properly and might play totally different positions – however his profitable mentality, and as properly his persona and character is one thing that is superb within the dressing room and likewise on the pitch.
“And, sure for me, Declan Rice is among the greatest midfield gamers for me in trendy soccer. He can nonetheless enhance lots, however for me, I’m very proud of him.
“I imply when he signed for Arsenal, no one would have predicted the season he would have for the primary season and he did very properly. He’s been taking part in like he was on the membership for the final 10 years and you may see he matches completely in Arteta’s system.
“For me, he’s the captain of this staff. There are few gamers throughout the staff that may put on the armband, however he all the time offers every little thing on the pitch and he is among the main males of Arsenal.”
