Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has thrown his support behind midfield star Declan Rice, suggesting the Englishman has what it takes to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. This bold endorsement comes after a series of phenomenal performances from Rice that have been central to Arsenal's strong start to the campaign.
Arteta's Ballon d'Or Belief
When questioned about Rice's potential to clinch football's top individual honour ahead of Arsenal's crucial Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta was unequivocal in his response. "I hope so. That would mean that we have won a lot," the Spaniard stated. He went on to explain that the award is typically linked to team success, but was effusive in his praise for the player's personal contributions, adding, "I think he was immense the other day. I think he's been immense since the start of the season. He's an incredible and crucial player for us."
Rice's Transformative Season
The catalyst for this high praise is Rice's outstanding form since Arteta began deploying him in a more advanced midfield role. This tactical shift has unlocked a new dimension to his game, resulting in a direct impact on the scoreboard. So far this season, Rice has scored two goals and provided six assists across all competitions for both club and country.
His man-of-the-match display in the Champions League against Bayern Munich midweek was a testament to his growing influence, following a string of other impressive performances. This individual brilliance has been a key driving force behind Arsenal's current position at the top of both the Premier League and their Champions League group.
Injury Update Ahead of Chelsea Clash
Arteta also provided a squad fitness update ahead of the weekend's London derby. He confirmed that while this week's scans on Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz weren't fully clear, there is positive news as both players are "closer and closer" to making a return to the squad.
Gyokeres has been absent since the 2-0 victory over Burnley earlier this month, while Havertz has not featured since the opening weekend of the season. In further good news for the Gunners, the injury that Leandro Trossard picked up against Bayern Munich "doesn't look like much" and there is a strong possibility he will be ready for selection against Chelsea.
