Gabby Agbonlahor says Arsenal’s incoming transfer Declan Rice is better than Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold in the middle of the park.
It was initially suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best English midfielder, after he played that role for a few months for Liverpool and Gareth Southgate used him as a number ten for England.
But for Agbonlahor, he wishfully disagreed and he made it clear that the new face that could soon enter Arsenal’s dressing room, Declan Rice, is better because of what he can do with the ball, his ‘tackling’ and the ‘physical’ side to the game, as he told talkSPORT (04/07/23 at 7:25 am).
Mikel Arteta’s side are closing in on the West Ham United captain, with Fabrizio Romano posting on Twitter that a £100 million deal has been agreed, with £5 million in add-ons.
When Rice enters the building at Arsenal, he is expected to play the number six role, including as a left-sided number eight.
Nonetheless, when it was suggested that Liverpool’s creative machine Alexander-Arnold was better in midfield than Rice, it was shot down by Agbonlahor.
“Trent is a very good player,” said Agbonlahor. “Passing and scoring goals.
“But what Declan Rice does. He can run the length of the pitch with the ball, Declan Rice. Tackling. More physical. I don’t think Trent can do everything Rice can do. Two very different players.”
Box-to-box midfielder Declan Rice
It’s going to be interesting to see how Arteta uses Rice because, the natural side of his game is to be defensive and to protect that back four.
But many think he can become a box-to-box midfielder and start adding much-needed goals to his name.
If Rice becomes Arsenal’s main defensive brain in the middle of the park, then he won’t have the freedom to roam forward, but if he has Thomas Partey next to him, then the Englishman can be unleashed to showcase his attacking quality.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
