Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has pinpointed Declan Rice as the one indispensable figure in Mikel Arteta's squad, claiming his potential absence would be the most damaging blow to the club's ambitions.
The Pillar of Arteta's Arsenal
Despite significant investment over recent transfer windows, which has built a squad with considerable strength in depth, Smith believes the club-record £105million signing from West Ham remains a unique and irreplaceable pillar of the team. In years gone by, Arsenal have seen their form nosedive when key players like William Saliba have been sidelined, but the current cover in defence and attack is now far more robust.
Jurrien Timber was signed to bolster the backline, while summer arrivals Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi have improved the midfield options. The frontline has also been supercharged with the additions of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Viktor Gyokeres, adding noticeable firepower.
The One Player They Cannot Replace
However, Smith contends that Rice's specific role in the heart of the pitch is what sets him apart. Regarded by many as the world's best in his position, any fitness issue for the England international would leave Arsenal scrambling for answers.
Speaking to The Metro, Smith explained: "We've seen Arsenal lose a couple of key players, haven't we? Martin Odegaard was perhaps the main one but Eze came in and we haven't really seen a drop-off. Declan Rice would be a big loss if he got injured because you would lose that drive in midfield and his set-piece ability which has become so important."
He emphatically concluded: "They haven't really got anybody to replace Rice. The defence has been superb but even at the back, Cristhian Mosquera has come in at times and they've got Piero Hincapie as well, so Rice would be the biggest loss for me."
Earning Global Acclaim
This sentiment is echoed across the football world, with pundit Micah Richards recently asserting that Rice has elevated his game to an elite global level. Richards stated that the midfielder's £105million fee now looks like value for money as he consistently drives the team forward from the centre of the park.
"I don't like singling players out because it's a team effort – and I have to give Mikel Arteta credit for building that – but I have to identify Declan Rice," Richards said. "He's taken his game to the next level now where you're talking about one of the best in world football. He can do everything and he's consistently putting in these performances which mean we have to start talking about him as one of the best players in world football."
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of major honours, the fitness and form of their talismanic midfielder appears to be the one variable they can least afford to be without.
