Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are doing extremely well at the moment and could win two major trophies this season.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table and are aiming to beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the title.
Mikel Arteta’s side have progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League as well. The Gunners will take on German giants Bayern Munich for a place in the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition.
One of Arsenal’s best players this season has been Declan Rice, and Gilberto Silva has been hugely impressed.
The Arsenal legend has noted how quickly Rice has made an impact on the Gunners after joining from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer of 2023.
The Brazilian legend believes that the 25-year-old England international midfielder is still improving and getting better.
Gilberto Silva praises Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice
Gilberto told CaughtOffside about Rice: “I hear a lot of pundits say the position has changed, but I’m not so sure. For me, the principles remain the same. I still view Declan as a holding midfielder who protects the back four and gives support to the guys up front. It’s the same job I was asked to do.
“What is really important in the position is the passing. It doesn’t matter how many balls you win back if you then just lose possession. So you need a vision: to know how you’re going to win the ball then what you are going to do with it.
“Declan does this really well. He never runs back or forward without a plan. And physically he’s a monster, and the scary part is he’s still raising his level.
“I think he’s been amazing for Arsenal. It just feels like he has known the club and its players for a very long time. He’s adapted so fast since joining from West Ham.
“I also believe he can play with either Thomas Partey or Jorginho. I know they play more or less in the same role, but because Rice is adaptable their abilities are complimentary.”
My View: Declan Rice could become world class
In my opinion, Arsenal and England international midfielder Declan Rice will become world class in the coming years if he continues on his current trajectory.
Rice is 25 now and has his best years ahead of him. He did extremely well at West Ham United and progressed a lot at the Hammers, and now he is excelling for Arsenal.
The England international is very good at protecting the back-four and imposes himself in the middle of the park. Rice is also above to drive the team forward and is a force to be reckoned with.
The midfielder has scored six goals and given seven assists in 39 matches in all competitions for Arsenal this season.
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