Arsenal star compared to Premier League legend told he’s better than one Man City ace

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Arsenal star Declan Rice has thrived since his summer move from West Ham, and he has now been compared to world-class players, past and present.

The midfielder has quickly become one of the best players in the world in his position, and has been vital for Arsenal this season both defensively and in terms of scoring crucial goals.

Arsenal were top of the Premier League until a loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, but are mounting another title challenge to try and stop Manchester City winning four consecutive Premier Leagues.

Rice is a player capable of taking Arsenal, who finished second last season, up another level, and he has now been compared to Manchester United legend Roy Keane and Man City star Rodri.

Jamie Carragher compares Declan Rice to Keane and Rodri

Writing in The Telegraph, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher claimed that Rice is better than Rodri, and that his impact at Arsenal is similar to that of Keane at Man United.

“I feel the same way about Rice that I felt about Roy Keane when he joined Manchester United for a British record fee in 1993. He has been probably the most influential player in the Premier League this season and, every time I watch him, he reminds me of Keane,” he stated.

“He has that same presence, and he has a passing ability that is incredibly underrated. When you think of the great midfielders of the past, they all had an aura on the pitch. Keane had it, and so did players like Graeme Souness and Bryan Robson. I see those same qualities in Rice, who could be the difference for Arsenal this season as they challenge for the title.

“There is no bigger compliment I can give to Rice than this: I would rather have him in my team than Rodri. He is a brilliant player, but I would still rather have Rice.”

Is Declan Rice better than Rodri?

As good as Rice has been, it is a bold statement to compare him to Rodri at these early stages of his Arsenal career. Rodri is arguably Manchester City’s most important player, and has played a key part in all of their successes in recent years.

The Spaniard scored the winner in last season’s Champions League final to complete a treble, and all of Man City’s defeats this season have come when he was absent from the team.

Rice is three years younger than Rodri, and has the potential to surpass him, but given their respective accomplishments in the game so far, it is tough to justify choosing the Englishman ahead of the Man City star, but that is not to say that Rice does not suit Arsenal more than Rodri would.

Rice is perhaps more mobile than Rodri, and has shown that he is capable of playing further forward and contributing vital goals. This versatility makes him more useful in the Arsenal squad, even if Rodri is superior on the ball.