Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva is one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the club’s history, and he has now spoken about a current star in Declan Rice.
Rice has been sensational at the base of midfield since his summer move from West Ham, and he adapted to Mikel Arteta’s system almost instantly.
He has not only been a rock at the back, helping Arsenal form the best defensive unit in the Premier League this season, he has also chipped in with crucial goals, with his last-minute winner against Luton on Tuesday night a particular highlight.
Gilberto has now praised Rice for adapting to life at the Emirates so quickly, and helping replace a key figure in Granit Xhaka.
Gilberto Silva praises Declan Rice
Speaking to The Daily Cannon, Gilberto explained why Rice found it easier to adapt to Arsenal than his teammate Kai Havertz, who also arrived in the summer.
“Maybe for Declan, it seems a little bit easier for him to adapt, because Arsenal at the moment need a player in that position. Xhaka left the club and there was a role to be filled,” he stated.
“And with Partey’s injury, it made things a little bit more simple for Dec to be there and to fill the role.
“But for me, it seems like it was so easy for him to adapt. It seems that he knew the team and the club for such a long time because he’s a good player.”
Declan Rice is already a leader at Arsenal
In addition to his outstanding performances, Rice quickly settled into the squad as a key leader of what is a young Arsenal team.
On the pitch he is vocal amongst his teammates, and he is delivering in huge moments, helping lead the Gunners to the top of the table.
His goal against Chelsea was perhaps the best example of his leadership in difficult moments. With Arsenal 2-0 down and struggling, Rice thundered a powerful long-distance shot in to pull a goal back, and his commanding presence helped his side eventually rescue a point.
Whilst Martin Odegaard is the club captain, Rice is essentially a captain without the armband, and it was this quality that Arsenal thought they would particularly miss when Xhaka departed this summer.
It has not been an easy adaptation for this new-look Arsenal midfield overall, particularly given Thomas Partey’s injury issues, but Rice has been outstanding in helping Arteta transition to a more defensively secure style of play.
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