Emmanuel Petit has labelled Arsenal star Declan Rice ‘the most effective midfielders in fashionable 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 remaining 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 high 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 in the end settling for a silver medal.
Petit lavishes reward on Arsenal star Rice
There’s no doubting Rice’s standing within the sport now. In reality, Petit charges the previous West Ham captain so extremely that he locations him among the many world’s finest in his place.
“Undoubtedly, he is likely one of the finest. I’m an enormous fan of Declan,” Petit informed Get Soccer Information France. “Even when he was enjoying for West Ham. I used to be very completely satisfied, two seasons in the past, when Arsenal purchased him.
“He’s a born chief. He has additionally improved lots as properly and might play completely different positions – however his profitable mentality, and as properly his character and character is one thing that is superb within the dressing room and in addition on the pitch.
“And, sure for me, Declan Rice is likely one of the finest midfield gamers for me in fashionable soccer. He can nonetheless enhance lots, however for me, I’m very pleased with him.
“I imply when he signed for Arsenal, no person would have predicted the season he would have for the primary season and he did very properly. He’s been enjoying like he was on the membership for the final 10 years and you’ll see he matches completely in Arteta’s system.
“For me, he’s the captain of this workforce. There are few gamers throughout the workforce that may put on the armband, however he all the time provides the whole lot on the pitch and he is likely one of the main males of Arsenal.”