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Pundit says Rice’s improved massively after joining Arsenal

By on December 18, 2023

Declan-Rice-Arsenal-2023

BBC pundit Clinton Morrison has claimed that Arsenal star Declan Rice has improved massively after moving to the Emirates Stadium last summer.

The Gunners opted to sign the Englishman from West Ham United by splashing over £100m. Initially, there were concerns as to whether the midfielder was worth that amount of money and whether he could showcase his best at the highest level.

However, Rice has settled down in his new surroundings like a duck to water and has already established himself as a key member of Arsenal’s starting eleven.

The North London club have enjoyed a stellar campaign so far this season, sitting at the top of the Premier League table with 39 points from 17 games. Rice has played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s promising performances during the first few months of this term.

Now, speaking on BBC Radio 5, Morrison has claimed that Rice has been excellent since joining the North London club last summer and he has taken his game to ‘another level’ in recent times.

Morrison said:

“He[Rice] has gone to another level since he has gone to Arsenal.”

Pundit lauds Rice

It initially looked like Arsenal opted to purchase Rice as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka to play in the box-to-box role. However, following Thomas Partey’s injury absence, the Englishman has been playing as a deep-lying playmaker.

The 24-year-old flourished in his career at West Ham as a holding midfielder so it seems this is his preferred position. Therefore, if the Gunners want to sign a new midfielder to replace Partey – who has been struggling with injury problems over the last few years – then I think Arsenal would be better off signing a new number eight, allowing Rice to play in the holding role.

So, it is going to be interesting to see what Arsenal eventually decide to do regarding their engine room in the upcoming transfer window.

Meanwhile, following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion last night, Arsenal will be travelling to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend. So, an extremely tough fixture lies ahead for the Emirates club.