Declan Rice has already matched Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez in one key stat, despite only playing five Premier League games for the Gunners.

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Over the weekend, Declan Rice started his fifth Premier League fixture as an Arsenal player, coming out on the winning side as the Gunners took three points at Goodison Park.

The win over Everton was Rice’s fourth league victory under Mikel Arteta, meaning he’s now matched Enzo Fernandez’s total for Premier League victories at Chelsea, as pointed out by Arsenal fans on Twitter.

Joining in January, Fernandez has featured heavily in an awful period of fixtures for Chelsea.

The Blues beat Leeds United and Leicester City in early March (both of whom were subsequently relegated), then dispatched AFC Bournemouth in May, before beating Luton Town for their fourth league win since their £107m signing’s arrival.

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LONDON, ENGLAND: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea reacts following the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea reacts following the team’s defeat during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

The other 19 matches have all been draws or defeats, and Chelsea are yet to score a goal in September.

As for Arsenal and Rice, the Gunners have beaten Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Everton this season, only failing to win in the draw against Fulham.

The two £100m+ signings have had significantly contrasting fortunes, with Rice also beating Fernandez to be the first to score a Premier League goal for their new club.

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates with Arsenal's Italian midfielder #20 Jorginho (L) after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates with Arsenal’s Italian midfielder #20 Jorginho (L) after scoring their late second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Ultimately, any individual player doesn’t have the capability to win matches on their own. Fernandez is unfortunate that he’s playing for a poor Chelsea side, instead of a much stronger Arsenal team.

But it’s a nice reminder of the gap between the two London outfits, if the 10 places that separate them in the league weren’t enough.

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