Declan Rice has grown into a central figure for Arsenal, drawing comparisons to English midfield legends like Bryan Robson, Steven Gerrard, and David Beckham. Teammates call him "The Horse" for his relentless energy, and manager Mikel Arteta rarely rests him. This season, the 27-year-old has transformed his game, becoming the hub of Arsenal's buildup play.
Statistical Leap
Rice leads the Premier League in progressive passes with 124, averaging 14.6 per 90 minutes — about 6% more than any other player. He also tops the team for touches per 90 (87.5), 13% ahead of Martin Odegaard. His progressive passing has surged from around 8.5 per 90 in his first three seasons at the club, addressing a perceived weakness when he arrived from West Ham for £105 million.
Arteta's Influence
Arteta praises Rice's "desperation to improve" and notes they have worked on adding unpredictability. The manager says Rice can drop deep, carry the ball, excel in transition, win duels, and deliver passes from various ranges. Arteta also wants to utilize Rice's long-range shooting more.
Creative Output
Rice leads the Premier League with five open-play assists, including a backheel for Bruno Guimaraes against Leeds and a cross for Kai Havertz versus Liverpool. His expected assists per 90 (0.24) now compare with Odegaard, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Enzo Fernandez. He is creating more despite fewer touches in the attacking third.
Comparison to Rodri
Rodri's Ballon d'Or-winning season set a high benchmark: about 10% more progressive passes per 90, nine goals, and eight assists. Projecting Rice's current expected goals and assists over a full season yields roughly three goals and 11 assists. Defensively, Rodri still edges Rice in duels, recoveries, and tackle success rate.
Fitness and Workload
After 4,456 club minutes last season and a full World Cup, Rice's load is being managed. He was rested for Carabao Cup games but played full matches against Liverpool and Slavia Prague. Arteta insists the club is protecting him more than ever.
Outlook
While Erling Haaland's goal-scoring makes him the favorite for best Premier League player, Rice's trajectory suggests he could challenge for that title. His ability to turn a weakness into a strength each season indicates further growth is possible, keeping him in the conversation for the world's best midfielder alongside Pedri and others.
