Alan Shearer believes the big Arsenal signing, Declan Rice, will be a big hit at the Emirates. Like many other pundits, the Premier League legend has weighed in on what we can anticipate from the Englishman.
The ex-Newcastle striker believes that with Rice, Arsenal have a stable midfielder who will provide solidity and is another leader who will most likely arrive to replace the leadership hole left by Granit Xhaka’s departure. Shearer also highlighted why Arsenal just had to pay £105 million for Rice’s signing. “Very good signing, a lot of money,” Shearer said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“Once Chelsea paid what they did for Enzo Fernandez, then that was always going to be the money that he went for – over £100m. A lot of money, but I think he’s an exceptional player. [He gives them] solidity, leadership, reliability.”
Shearer’s claims come just days after Mikel Arteta spoke about what his record Arsenal signing brings to his team. The Spaniard said, “His leadership skills are unquestionable. When you meet him and you spend the first five minutes with him, you get the feeling and impression that he’s someone who is going to help so much with the dressing room and the approach that we want to take into games and have the initiative in our way of living.”
In his competitive debut for Arsenal, he (Rice) remarkably contributed to the team collecting silverware, and that should only be the start of many bright days to come. There is no question in my mind.
Daniel O
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He should play to his strengths, meaning play as a DM. If Arteta wanted a B2B player then bring in a B2B midfielder.
I think Rice will be a top DM for us, as long as he is tasked with what he does best. Rice and Partey can form a dominant pivot in midfield.
I hope he isn’t pushed into an 8 role because he is average going forward, creating, and scoring.
Please leave him to be the monster DM he has proven to be.
I don’t agree – he played box to box for whu, it just gives him more freedom to use those defensive instincts effectively, rather than being tied to a position in front of the defence.
His other big strength is running with the ball, which would be more difficult if he was stuck in the holding role.
Partey is better in tight spaces, as is jorginho, and they’re also better passers, so I prefer them to play in that dm/deep playmaker role and allow rice more freedom.
He was worth every penny! He patches up the holes that have allowed those silly and unnecessary goals we’ve conceded over the years that have made the difference in our final league placement.
I also believe he was an integral part of the team that helped us beat city!!! Long May it continue!!! COYG
There was a moment in the second half vs city where a player was running at our defence on the counter – rice accelerated from behind, caught up to him in a second and calmly nicked the ball away, completely nullifying what looked like a dangerous situation. I thought that captured the real difference he’ll make for us.
Value-wise, time will tell I suppose, but he’s here now, so as long as he improves us, which it appears he will do, we’ll be happy with the signing.
His price, is what it is. We didn’t overpay, we just paid the rate required to get him. If we win the league or CL he will be a bargain, along with Haverz. If we dont, they both will be expensive acquisitions.
Am in agreement with both post above, there is no doubt Declan Rice will be massive for us in the upcoming campaign.
His timing and judgement is extraordinary, have never seen another player in the league with such excellent timing.
But with Rice undeniable intelligence defensively, it should continues to be his primary responsibilities.
Rice certainly is one of the best midfielders in the world. The double pivot of Rice and Partey will be very difficult to beat and will give great defensive steel to our midfield. That said, along with his technical abilities, Rice could also help with his leadership skills which will be very important when the season gets going and we encounter tough moments both in the PL and in the CL.