Rio Ferdinand reserved huge praise for one member of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
Surprisingly, Ferdinand wants Arsenal to win the Premier League, and firmly believes that what he’s seen from the Gunners so far could warrant a title.
Things are just clicking for Arteta’s side, as Arsenal sit four points clear at the summit, having conceded just three goals all season.
The Arsenal manager deserves huge credit, as do his players, building a team of leaders who look well-equipped to bring home silverware at long last.
Rio Ferdinand praises ‘ridiculous’ Declan Rice
Arsenal’s best player might be Gabriel Magalhaes right now, who is a force to be reckoned with in attack and defence.
The Brazilian is at the top of his game in the spine of Arsenal’s favoured XI, with the player lining up ahead of him just as influential.
Declan Rice is one of the toughest players to come up against in the Premier League, but he’s not only a top player.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand dubbed the midfielder a ‘leader of today’s generation’, which is deserved praise.
“Declan Rice, who’s just, he’s a leader of today’s generation. Every game he’s out there, you see he’s dominant. He’s assured his security within your team,” Ferdinand said.
The Manchester United icon didn’t just want to draw attention to the leadership qualities Rice’s consistency guarantees, but also singled out another prominent part of his game.
“His delivery at set pieces where you’re so dominant is ridiculous,” Ferdinand added.
There’s no denying how strong Rice is at set-pieces, securing assists frequently from his impeccable deliveries into the box.
Arsenal have everything they could want in a player in Rice, being a consistent threat in attack, a tough player to overcome in the engine room and, as a bonus, a leader.
Rice is part of Arsenal’s leadership group
Rice’s leadership qualities are one of the reasons Arteta brought him to Arsenal, leaving West Ham as captain and captaining England several times.
At the age of just 26, the midfielder is one of the most experienced leaders in the Arsenal squad, being a part of Arteta’s five-man leadership group.
Rice’s inclusion alongside Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes was unsurprising; however, fans were shocked by Mikel Merino being seen as a leader at the club.
The five-man group gives an insight into what the boss sees behind the scenes on a daily basis, with Rice one figure whose ability to lead by example is being celebrated.
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