Former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks has showered his praise for Arsenal summer signing Declan Rice. Crooks believes that Rice is now as influential for Arsenal as Martin Odegaard was for them last season.
Arsenal were clearly struggling against Brentford at the weekend. Odegaard and Martinelli couldn’t make an impact, but thats when Rice stood out for the Gunners.
Rice has been a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the park for Arsenal this season. The 24-year-old has been superb for the Gunners since his move from West Ham United in the summer transfer window.
Crooks calls Rice’s gameplay ‘pure genious’
The former Spurs man Garth Crooks included Rice in his Premier League Team of the Week for BBC Sport. The pundit noted how influential Rice is and outlined how he helped out Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale against Brentford.
Crooks told BBC Sport about Rice: “Mikel Arteta can whittle on all he likes about keeping a clean sheet and the professionalism of his team’s performance against Brentford but Arsenal got away with this win.
“The way Declan Rice spotted that Aaron Ramsdale was in some difficulty, got behind his goalkeeper and positioned himself perfectly to clear the ball off the line was pure genius.
“Rice is proving to be as influential as Martin Odegaard proved to be for the Gunners last season. The win takes Arsenal to the top of the table and they now have a decent run of games before they face Villa and Liverpool away and Brighton at home. None of which will be straightforward but if they can remain top going into the new year anything is possible.”
Declan Rice destined for greatness at Arsenal
The fact that Pep Guardiola wanted Declan Rice this summer is proof of his talent and potential. He is already on of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he’ll only keep getting better.
Rice is just 24 right now and has his prime ahead of him. If he can have 3-4 good seasons with Arsenal going into his prime, he could definitely become an ‘elite’ player and one of the best midfielders of the decade.
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