Clinton Morrison thinks Declan Rice took Arsenal to �another level� having blown the Sky Sports pundit away with his performances under Mikel Arteta so far...
Clinton Morrison thinks Declan Rice took Arsenal to �another level� having blown the Sky Sports pundit away with his performances under Mikel Arteta so far this season.
The 24-year-old has mesmerised Morrison with his form at Emirates Stadium since Arsenal signed Rice in a club-record transfer. He now puts the England midfielder as one of the best in his position around today. Rice is also a fundamental part of Arteta�s side in north London.
Rice has started in all 17 of Arsenal�s Premier League games this season to help the Gunners top the table. Just William Saliba (1,530) has also enjoyed more top-flight minutes than Rice (1,476) under Arteta in 2023/24. They are the sole players Arteta has started in all 17 games.
Declan Rice is justifying his �100m club-record price tag with Arsenal
Arteta has also started Rice in five of Arsenal�s six Champions League ties, in the Community Shield and deployed him off the bench in one Carabao Cup tie. The 48-cap England star has only missed one game across all competitions this season due to a back injury in September.
Even Alan Shearer has agreed with Ian Wright that Rice looks �like a bargain� at �100m, plus �5m in add-ons, after the Arsenal legend suggested he felt �guilty� about the fee. West Ham United demanded a nine-figure fee after Rice took them to their first major title in 43 years.
Rice enjoyed a decade for West Ham and graduated from their academy to get his first-team debut in May 2017. The following six years returned 245 appearances, with 15 goals plus 13 assists in all competitions. Yet he already has three goals and two assists playing for Arteta.
Clinton Morrison thinks Declan Rice has taken Arsenal to �another level�
Each of Rice�s goals for Arsenal so far have also been crucial. He bagged their late go-ahead goal against Manchester United, first to inspire a 2-2 draw at Chelsea and their 97th-minute winner at Luton Town. But it is his overall offering for Arsenal�s midfield that stuns Morrison.
Rice has stunned the former Crystal Palace striker with how the midfielder has taken Arsenal to �another level� this term. Morrison also thinks the Gunners have helped the Irons product to hit new heights. Now, he is one of the best midfielders around as Rice delivers everything.
�Unbelievable,� Morrison stated on Sky Sports News (23/12, 12:19). �He won everything in midfield, he drove with it, he�s so cultured on the ball.
�He�s got a turn of pace where he can beat people. His levels have gone to another level and he�s took Arsenal, in my opinion, to another level, as well. I think he�s outstanding, he�s one of the best there is at the moment.�
