Arsenal star who Man City failed to sign hailed 'ultimate' player by Etihad insider
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The Gunners midfielder has been in purring form so far this season for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been hailed as the ‘ultimate box-to-box midfielder’ by Manchester City legend Paul Dickov after his impressive start to the season.
The Gunners and Pep Guardiola’s side look destined to battle it out for the title this season. Arsenal are currently four points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table but a rampant run of form from City will have Mikel Arteta looking over his shoulder.
Manchester City earned convincing wins over AFC Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool prior to the international break, while Arsenal dropped points at Sunderland last time out.
Arsenal star hailed as ‘ultimate’ midfielder by Man City insider
That shouldn’t worry Arteta too much given his side’s consistency so far this term. Several Gunners players have been standout stars, and that includes Declan Rice.
The midfielder has been included in debates alongside Chelsea star Moises Caicedo as to who is the best central midfielder in the league right now. For Dickov, who is still working at Manchester City in a media capacity, Rice is the ‘ultimate’ midfielder.
Speaking to LondonWorld via Best Betting Bonuses, Dickov admitted that Manchester City did try and sign Rice prior to his £100 million move to Arsenal in 2023. He said: “I think they did try to sign Declan Rice, and Declan decided to choose Arsenal, which looks as if it's not been a bad move for him because he's been outstanding.
Man City would have ‘loved’ to sign ex West Ham man
“Declan, for me, is one of the best midfielders around and especially playing that role a bit further forward, he's your ultimate box-to-box midfielder. He's got a bit of everything. City would have loved to have signed him.
“However, with Rodri coming back to fitness again now, and with Nico Gonzalez adjusting, things look good for City’s midfield. Nico came in and it was difficult for him to settle. He's not a natural No. 6, we know that. But he studied the game, he's worked with Pep and his coaching staff. In the last few games, I think he's been outstanding.
“Would City have loved to have signed Declan? Almost certainly. I don’t think there’s a club that wouldn’t have.”
In other news, Arsenal might drop 'fantastic' midfielder after starting Sunderland draw.