Alan Pardew has issued some heavy praise for one Arsenal player during the international break.
Many Arsenal players are in action over the November international break, with Mikel Arteta anxiously awaiting their safe return.
Fortunately for the boss, a handful of his stars have remained in London for the first part of the break, as the Brazil national team squad is training at Colney and England play their first game at Wembley.
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad is taking shape ahead of the World Cup, a team that Declan Rice is very much a part of, and Alan Pardew knows one reason why the midfielder will have such a key role.
Alan Pardew says Declan Rice is the best set-piece taker in the Premier League
Rice is one of the best players in the world right now, being one of the most consistent players in the Premier League.
On top of his remarkable base level come a variety of attributes that set the 26-year-old aside from others, one of which is his set-piece quality.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pardew shared his belief that Rice is the Premier League’s best set-piece taker at present.
“His set-play delivery, I would say, is the best in the Premier League,” Pardew said.
“Not only does he get it very accurate, but his power on the delivery defeats defences.”
Rice didn’t expect to become a set-piece taker at Arsenal, but since Arteta made the call, the Gunners haven’t looked back.
From corners to free-kicks to shooting, Rice is a maestro in deadball situations, and don’t Arsenal know it.
Where Declan Rice’s set-piece quality ranks him in Europe
It’s not just Arsenal that knows it, but the entire footballing world, too.
That’s because since January 2024, Rice has recorded ten assists from set-pieces, which is double the number of anyone else in the Premier League.
Rice’s set-piece efficiency goes deeper than just the English top flight, as his record is also more than any player in Europe’s top-five leagues has managed in that time.
Pardew is right, no set-piece taker is working as efficiently as Rice right now, which is a huge boost for the Gunners’ title charge.
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