Steven Gerrard tells Declan Rice to do one thing at Arsenal but that could really annoy Bukayo Saka

Add as preferred source on Google

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are two of Arsenal’s best players.

The England internationals have been unbelievable for the Gunners over the years, and they have both produced several exceptional moments.

Rice, in particular, has developed incredibly well. He was signed as a number six, but Mikel Arteta has converted him into a box-to-box midfielder, and he has been delivering in that role.

Steven Gerrard has now had his say on the Arsenal number 41.

Steven Gerrard shares what he wants Declan Rice to do at Arsenal now

Declan Rice has gone from strength to strength since joining Arsenal.

The Englishman was a star at West Ham United, but he has taken his game to a whole new level since moving to the Emirates for a club-record fee.

Rice began taking free-kicks at Arsenal this season, and he scored two stunners against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Gerrard, who knows a thing or two about being a world-class midfielder, is happy to see Rice on free-kick duty now, and the Liverpool legend has urged his compatriot to start taking penalties too.

He said on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel: “I think he’s been fantastic. I think he’s developed a lot, he’s adding goals to his game, he’s arriving more in the box, I think at the beginning of his career, people saw him just as a six.

“Fantastic passer, good ball-carrier, I think he’s added a lot more to his game now, and he’s more of an all-round midfielder, I love watching him.

“I think he needs to just keep adding goals and I love the way he’s gone on to the free-kicks and I’d love to see him step forward and start taking penalties because as a midfielder, you want to be that type of guy.”

Bukayo Saka vs Declan Rice’s penalty records compared

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s first-choice penalty taker at the moment.

The 23-year-old is often very reliable from the spot, and he has shown the courage to step up and take penalties even after he has missed.

Rice’s ball striking is excellent too, but his record from the penalty spot is not great.

We’re sure Rice would be open to stepping up and taking penalties if he is asked to, but the Englishman’s numbers won’t fill you with any confidence.

Saka has missed a few during games in his career, but the Arsenal Academy graduate is far more reliable from the spot and is rightly the first-choice taker.

Gerrard is not wrong to back Rice, but we’re certain that Saka will be really annoyed if he is taken off penalty duties.