Ashley Williams has praised Arsenal’s Declan Rice as a “complete midfielder” following a strong performance from the England international against Burnley on Saturday.
Arsenal won 2-0 against Burnley on Saturday away at Turf Moor, and Declan Rice was a big part of the reason why.
Most notably, Rice scored Arsenal’s second goal of the game with a powerful header. But Match of the Day highlighted that Rice also ranked first in the team for passes into the penalty area, carry distance, tackles, interceptions, and duels won, among other things.
Whether it was finishing chances, helping to create them, or shutting the opposition down, Rice was involved on all fronts.
Speaking to the BBC programme, Ashley Williams suggested that Rice currently looks like a complete midfielder.
“He was excellent today, I thought he covered every blade of grass,” Williams said. “As a centre-back myself he would be perfect if he’s in front of you, because he does all of the work that you don’t really see, picks up second balls, his set-piece delivery is so important to what Arsenal do.
“He also chips in with goals like he did today. It’s not an understatement to say the minute he’s a complete midfielder, he can attack and defend.
“I think he’s so integral to what Arsenal are trying to do. He embodies everything that the manager’s built the team around.”
Mikel Arteta’s team selections this season certainly emphasise how important Rice is to his vision. Of Arsenal’s 15 games in all competitions, Rice has started 11.
Of the four games Rice didn’t start, two were in the League Cup, meaning he’s only missed one Champions League start and one Premier League start so far. He came off the bench as a substitute all four times.
If Arsenal are going to win trophies this season, there’s no doubt Rice will be a central piece of that title charge.