Man City star Rodri admits he ‘likes’ one current Arsenal star and says he ‘loves’ another

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Arsenal have one of the best midfield rosters in the Premier League, but so do title rivals Manchester City.

Arsenal did well to beat Man City to the signing of Declan Rice, who arrived for a club-record fee last year, whilst Martin Odegaard has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished two points below Man City in the title race last season, who remained firm in a strong run of form to lift their fourth consecutive title.

Their key player was defensive midfielder Rodri, who also went on to win Euro 2024 with Spain, and is arguably the best midfielder in the world.

Man City’s record with and without Rodri speaks for itself, as they struggled to win without him last season, with Pep Guardiola’s side falling to defeat at the Emirates last season whilst he was suspended.

Rodri has now praised two of the options Arsenal have in the same position, and highlighted the quality both players possess.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Declan Rice from his girlfriend to height

Rodri praises Arsenal midfielders Declan Rice and Jorginho

Speaking via ESPN, Rodri heaped praise on Arsenal players Rice and Jorginho, who have both excelled at the base of midfield like the Man City star.

“If you ask me names I think I would be not fair because I will leave some ones that deserve, but I don’t know. Let’s say right now, Declan I like a lot, what he does, even though he’s not the same role I do.

“I love Jorginho, when he was in the best shape.

“Who else? In the past for example, I always said Busquets, Casemiro, Xabi Alonso, these kind of players that they can manage the game.”

How Declan Rice and Jorginho excelled together for Arsenal

Rice began his Arsenal career at the base of midfield, like Rodri, but he found success moving forward to a box-to-box role, with Jorginho or Thomas Partey as the number six.

Jorginho and Rice excelled together at times last season, with Jorginho even occasionally pushing forward himself, and the combination of Rice’s physicality with Jorginho’s intelligence proved to be a strong balance.

Rodri and Rice now play in different roles despite previous comparisons, but Arteta will hope that his midfield can find perfect balance once new signing Mikel Merino comes in, to beat Man City and Rodri to the title this season.