Declan Rice backed to replace Granit Xhaka

"Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are a great project to join and not only because they are top of the league," said Tony Cascarino to The Times.

"Arteta has developed young players exceptionally well. There’s Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the attacking midfield area alone.

"[Declan] Rice will cover for the weaknesses of others and provide a platform for team-mates to play their best game.

"He wins the ball and gets it forward quickly. For a team with such quick and direct attacking talent, having someone who reads moments and intercepts the ball and then immediately supplies a team-mate is critical."

The former Chelsea striker added: "I imagine Rice would come in to replace Granit Xhaka, which would give Arsenal depth and increase that solidity and protection in midfield.

"Alongside [Thomas] Partey, that could be the next Patrick Vieira-Gilberto Silva partnership."

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Rice lately but it remains to be seen if the deal actually transpires in the future.

Xhaka has been a reliable player for Arteta over the past few months and dropping him to accommodate Rice seems a tad unfair.

Source: Tribuna