Cesc Fabregas has hailed an Arsenal player who’s the ‘complete package’ ahead of the game against Manchester City.
The Gunners travel to the Etihad on Sunday to take on Pep Guardiola‘s side in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season yet.
Arsenal are currently on top of the Premier League table, and a win against Guardiola’s men will push four points clear of them.
Manchester City will be the favourites on Sunday, but Fabregas believes Arsenal can win it thanks to one player who never makes mistakes.
Cesc Fabregas hails Arsenal player who’s the ‘complete package’
Arsenal have a number of world-class players in their side now.
Mikel Arteta has built a tremendous squad at the Emirates Stadium, and we’re capable of beating any side in the world on our day.
Arsenal, however, have a terrible record at the Etihad. We haven’t won a game there since December 2015 – Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud scored to give us the victory that day.
Every player in this Arsenal squad would love to get a win on Sunday, and Cesc Fabregas believes one man could make a big difference for the Gunners – Declan Rice.
The former Arsenal captain has described the Englishman as the ‘complete package’, and he thinks Rice is a player who never makes a mistake against the big teams.
Speaking on the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas said: “I think he’s brought everything – dynamism, physicality, quality, intelligence, maturity. He’s the complete package in midfield in my opinion.
“He can play as a double pivot, he can play also by himself. He can play higher up as a number eight. I think he looks like a very intelligent boy as well. He knows his limitations so I feel safe.
“I see him play and I’m like ‘I don’t think this boy will make a mistake in big games.”
“Listen, I don’t know what will happen on Sunday. But he gives you that trust. In midfield, in big games, you want players who take responsibility, who have personality. Players who you can trust.
“Especially against a top Man City team. I think Arsenal and Arsenal fans, when they have Declan in there they feel safe, and that’s a very big plus.”
Declan Rice’s stats this season are really impressive
Declan Rice is up there with the best midfielders in the world, and Arsenal are lucky to have him.
The Englishman hit the ground running in the famous red and white. He has barely had a bad game for us and has arguably been our best player this season.
Rice has scored six goals and provided five assists in the Premier League so far this term. He averages two tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game. He also wins 1.3 aerial duels and is dribbled past just 0.6 times per 90 mins.
On the ball, Rice averages 65.2 passes per game and has maintained a very impressive passing accuracy of 91 per cent. He also has 1.4 shots at goal and creates a chance every game.
Rice will come up against Rodri in midfield on Sunday. If the Arsenal man has a better game than the Manchester City midfielder, we will have a great chance of getting something from the game.