In Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest have one of the best young midfielders around but he’s admitted it’s very much one of the current Arsenal squad that he looks up to.
Anderson has got himself into the England set up and has six caps to his name after impressing Thomas Tuchel.
Of course, playing for Nottingham Forest, Anderson might well have his eyes set on a bigger move at some point and to get that, he’ll need to keep improving.
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One of the ways to do that is by learning from those he plays with and paying attention to others in his position.
And according to Anderson, it is the influence of Arsenal’s Declan Rice that is helping him.
Elliott Anderson says why Declan Rice is really helping him
Quite a few heads were turned when Nottingham Forest paid big money to land Anderson from Newcastle.
At the time, he was hardly a regular for the Toon and for £35m, it seemed an expensive buy.
However, Anderson has thrived and after starring for England alongside Declan Rice, he’s admitted to the Daily Mail that he very much watches Rice with a close eye.
“I want to watch his games,’ Anderson says. “To see how he’s playing and how he likes to play and stuff. I don’t keep in touch with him. I am still new to the team.
“But Declan has helped me massively in helping me to understand the role we both have.
“He’s definitely more of the forward-thinking one. He’s the eight and I am the six. I like the way he controls the midfield and dictates the play. Every time we play it’s building the relationship.”
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Could Elliot Anderson eventually end up at Arsenal?
While Nottingham Forest have done well in recent years, they have dipped under Sean Dyche this season a bit and relegation is still a genuine threat.
Without disrespecting Forest, Anderson might have to seek a move away from the club if he is to continue to improve and cement his England status.
Right now, he’s very much in favour with Thomas Tuchel and alongside Rice, he’s building a fine partnership.
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Of course, Arsenal fans may wonder if that partnership could transcend to The Emirates. But right now, with Martin Zubimendi impressing so much and Arsenal having plenty of depth, Anderson would find it hard to break into the team.
Nevertheless, he is a fine young English player and if he does remain at Forest, it would be no surprise to see Anderson linked with the Gunners at some point.
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