Arsenal is on the high of the Premier League desk, however in actuality it does not really feel that approach.
On Saturday, Gunner slammed West Ham 2-0 at residence, changing the second half penalty because the hammer hardly ever threatened, highlighting the truth that after Declan Rice broke the deadlock on his entrance facet, Bukayo Saka did not convened a single shot on the goal.
However, the ambiance at Emirates Stadium was typically moderately flat. Maybe due to the moderately uninteresting sport provided to attendees, even 0-0, there was little question in regards to the victory.
Extra importantly, as soon as once more, Mikel Arteta was injured by yet one more necessary participant. The Absenters derailed their title aspirations final season.
So, if the captain is on the sidelines for some size, ought to a key determine labeled “the very best on this planet” begin carrying an armband?
The newest in Martin Ødegaard’s accidents
As Martin Ødegaard found this week, 4 days are a really very long time in soccer.
The Norwegian who confronted Olympiacos on Wednesday evening was his elegant, glowing, glowing finest.
Supervisor Arteta described Ødegaard’s efficiency as “inspiring,” however athletic Dan Sheldon praised his “stunning sharp passes” and outlined “enjoying considerably deeper,” permitting him to regulate all points of the sport and really run the present.
Nonetheless, approaching Saturday, for his third consecutive residence Premier League match, the 26-year-old was kicked out within the first half, suffering from shoulder points in opposition to Leeds and Nottingham Forest. This time I suffered a knee damage.
Arteta then stated the information was “not optimistic.” Ødegaard left the stadium on his knee braces and concluded strictly, “Wait…it isn’t going nicely.”
So, if the skipper is pressured to take a seat down the sport after a Fulham, Atletico Madrid, Crystal Palace and maybe a global break, who ought to put on an armband as an alternative?
Arsenal’s future captain is now “the very best on this planet.”
When Ødegaard was sidelined each this season and the final, the armband was moderately shared, with Gabriel and Saka carrying it in latest video games.
Nonetheless, after yet one more wonderful exhibit in opposition to his former membership on Saturday, Rice actually got here to the forefront because the chief of this Arsenal crew.
In soccer historical past, 11 gamers have moved over £100 million, of which have confirmed success by a only a few. Large gamers will also be down as Alexander Isaac and Florian Wiltz uncover them at Anfield.
Effectively, Rice definitely defies the pattern of being clearly excellent each week in that regard, and the desk under information his significance to Arsenal this season.
Declan Rice 2025/26 Statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
statistics | Rice | Arsenal rank |
Min | 676 | No. 5 |
the purpose | 1 | 7 days |
help | 2 | First |
Accomplished Go | 437 | Third |
Key Go | 14 | First |
Go to the final third | 33 | Second |
Progressive Carry | twenty one | Second |
There is a nook | twenty 4 | First |
Shot creation motion | twenty 4 | First |
block | 7 | Third |
Ball restoration | 36 | First |
contact | 565 | Third |
Statistics by way of FBREF | ||
Because the numbers are highlighted, Rice has develop into a complete all-around.
He leads the way in which when it comes to key passes and shot-making actions. Most of it’s his skilled set piece supply and ball restoration courtesy, contributing very a lot to each space of the pitch.
Tottenham supervisor Thomas Frank of All Individuals Talking About Archie Grey at a press convention on Friday, claimed that Rodri and Rice are “the very best on this planet” of their place, including that it’s because “they’ll perform a little little bit of the whole lot.”
The US has been in use at its midfield base from the beginning of Saturday, no matter the place he’s deployed, so it is arduous to disagree with that evaluation, contemplating he can carry out nice regardless of the place he’s deployed.
In his closing season at West Ham, culminating in convention league glory, Rice was the membership captain, carrying the English armband for the primary time final 12 months with Belgium and highlighting his management skills.
So, if Ødegaard is all the time on the sidelines, Rice seems like an apparent candidate to guide Arsenal at Craven Cottage in two weeks.

