Arsenal legend Robert Pires has placed the club’s mercurial talent Declan Rice in the same stratosphere as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, heaping praises on the England International.
Pires, part of the last Arsenal squad to clinch the Premier League trophy, returned to see Arteta’s side perfectly poised to end the club’s excruciating 22-year wait for league glory. While the Gunners’ left Anfield unsatisfied, sharing the spoils with a Salah-less Liverpool in their most recent outing, the draw was enough to extend their lead at the top to six points.
Since his record-setting move from West Ham in 2023,Rice has grown into a domineering presence in Arsenal’s midfield. Rarely missing a match, he has carried much of the team’s quality and consistency on his shoulders. His influence has drawn plaudits from former Arsenal players and rivals alike, with Pires placing the 26 year old midfielder among Arsenal’s most iconic figures.
‘If you want to lift the trophy at the end of the season you need a player like Declan Rice,’
Pires, the two times Premier League winner and Invincible told Sky Sports.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane added that Rice combines humility with the kind
of confidence needed to drive a big club forward.
‘Rice excelled at West Ham, and now at Arsenal, surrounded by high caliber teammates, he’s
even more effective,” Keane said. “He’s contributing goals, linking play, and lifting those around
him. There’s no doubt he’s among the world’s best right now.’
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli turned heads with his first senior hat-trick at Fratton Park, as Arsenal decimated struggling Portsmouth four goals to nil in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Ahead lies a demanding end to January, beginning with a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea, followed by crucial Premier fixtures with Nottingham Forest,Manchester United, and a Champions Leagues tie against Inter Milan.
