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Steven Gerrard heaps praise on Arsenal star Declan Rice

By on October 9, 2025

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on Arsenal star Declan Rice.

When the Gunners purchased the Englishman from West Ham United by breaking the club’s transfer record, eyebrows were raised and questions were asked about whether he was indeed worth that much money.

However, he has established himself as an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s system, and it can be said that the midfielder has already repaid the money, even though he hasn’t been able to help Arteta’s side win any major trophy yet.

Recently, Rio Ferdinand interviewed Gerrard on his YouTube channel and asked the Liverpool legend which modern-day central midfielders he thinks are similar to the top players of his time.

Without much thinking, Gerrard said that he likes Rice as the Gunners star is a ‘really good’ player. He is strong and has the mentality to flourish at the highest level.

Gerrard said:

“In the Premier League, I think Declan Rice is a really, really good midfielder. I like an awful lot about him. I like the kid, I like his mentality, I like the way he’s gone to the next level at Arsenal, he’s adding different things to his game. I think he’d be a really tough, strong opponent, a good challenge.”

Gerrard lauds Rice

Rice was used as a defensive midfielder by David Moyes at West Ham, however, Arteta has made the Englishman a box-to-box player, which has unlocked his attacking qualities.

In his debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium, the 26-year-old made 16 goal contributions across all competitions before making 19 goal contributions in all tournaments last term.

He has continued to showcase his attacking prowess this season, making three goal contributions in seven starts in the Premier League and Champions League.

Rice is considered the best midfielder in the England squad and is still very young. He is likely to develop further and his best years still lie ahead.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have started the season with the ambition of winning the Premier League title this season after narrowly missing out on achieving that feat in the last three consecutive campaigns. They are currently at the top of the Premier League table with 16 points from seven games, sitting just one point above title rivals Liverpool.