Arsenal’s Premier League-winning squad is packed with outstanding footballers.
Mikel Arteta has assembled one of the strongest teams in Europe, with elite players spread across every area of the pitch.
That quality is a huge reason why the Gunners ended their 22-year wait for a league title and are now preparing for the biggest game in club history against PSG in the Champions League final.
Many former Arsenal stars look at this squad with admiration. Theo Walcott certainly does, and he has now revealed the one current Gunner he would’ve loved to play alongside – Declan Rice.
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Theo Walcott says he would ‘run all day’ if he played with Arsenal star Declan Rice
Walcott was fortunate enough to play with some incredible footballers during his Arsenal career.
From Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie to Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil, the former winger shared a dressing room with players capable of deciding games on their own.
Arsenal’s current squad contains several superstars too.
Bukayo Saka is one of the best attackers in world football, William Saliba is widely regarded as an elite centre-back, and Viktor Gyokeres has become a key figure since arriving at the club.
However, the player Walcott would most like to have played with is Rice.
The England international has become the engine of this Arsenal squad and is arguably the biggest reason why they are champions today.
Whether it is his energy, leadership or consistency, Rice has a habit of dragging teammates along with him and setting the standards every single week.
When asked which current Arsenal player he would most like to play with, Walcott replied: “Probably Declan Rice. He’s probably the man who gets everyone ticking; he gets everyone playing in the right mood.
“The habits he plays with, the energy… Having someone like him in midfield, yeah, I’d run all day with that man.”
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Declan Rice has become Arsenal’s most important player
There will be many Arsenal fans who still view Saka as the face of the club.
That is completely understandable given everything he has achieved and how important he has been over the last few years.
However, there is a growing argument that Rice has become Arsenal’s most important player.
When things are going well, he keeps the team moving. When things are difficult, he steps up and drags the Gunners through games.
That is a rare quality, and it explains why so many people inside and outside the club speak about him with such admiration.
If Arsenal beat PSG and lift the Champions League this weekend, Rice will have an even stronger claim to being the first name on Arteta’s teamsheet.
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