Former Arsenal academy ace Josh Dasilva has opened up about life in North London before making the move to Brentford.
The midfielder was raised in Arsenal’s Hale End academy before spreading his wings and joining Brentford when the Bees were in the Championship.
It was a bold decision for Dasilva to decide against committing his future to the Gunners, a decision that has worked out for him in the Premier League.
Now a valued member of Thomas Frank’s side, the former Arsenal starlet has 48 Premier League appearances under his belt, building the foundations for a dazzling career.
Josh Dasilva says Declan Rice is the best player he’s played against
In a recent interview, Dasilva sat down with Rising Ballers to discuss his career so far, touching on moments of his upbringing at Arsenal.
As well as dissecting the early moments of his time in North London, the 25-year-old was quizzed on what it’s like to play in the Premier League.
Dasilva made no mistake in naming Declan Rice as the best player he’s ever played against, giving several reasons why the Englan international is so difficult to crack.
“Declan Rice probably the best player i’ve played against,” Dasilva explained.
“His size, strong, fast, left foot, right foot, can shoot, can pass, can run, read the game.”
The central midfielder has come up against Rice during his time at West Ham in the Premier League, but not yet at Arsenal.
Dasilva missed the majority of the 2023/24 calendar due to injury, so will have to wait to see the differences of playing the former Hammers captain in red and white.
Arsenal need more from Rice
The reasons that Dasilva gave for Rice being the best he’s faced ring true however, there will be hope that Mikel Arteta can soon get more from the 2023 signing.
Rice made the move to Arsenal last summer and didn’t look back, being a crucial member of Arteta’s squad last term that challenged for the Premier League title.
This season has been less impressive so far for the midfielder, who despite shining on the international stage against Ireland, has been less masterful for his club.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta has just been shown one Declan Rice tweak he must make immediately at Arsenal
There are several reasons for this, the main being the role that the 25-year-old is assuming on the left side of Arsenal’s midfield, something that the boss should tweak if he is to get the best out of his £105m player.
Dasilva’s assessment of playing Rice only reinforces the talent that Arsenal have in the spine of their team, with the hope that the Gunners can kickstart the Englishman’s season when he returns from suspension.
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