Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made a stunning declaration, publicly backing his star midfielder Declan Rice to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. This bold claim comes after what Arteta described as an 'immense' start to the season for the England international.
Stunning Form and a New Role
Rice's case for the award is built on a foundation of consistently outstanding performances. His most recent display saw him crowned the Most Valuable Player in Arsenal's crucial midweek Champions League clash against German giants Bayern Munich. This follows a string of impressive outings for both his club and the England national team throughout the current campaign.
The midfielder's statistics are a testament to his elevated influence, especially after Arteta assigned him a more advanced role on the pitch this season. Rice has contributed two goals and provided six assists across all competitions, directly impacting Arsenal's push for silverware on multiple fronts.
Driving Arsenal to the Top
Rice's transformative impact has been a key driver in propelling the North London club to the upper echelons of both the Premier League and the Champions League. His leadership and quality in the heart of the team have been instrumental in their successful campaign so far.
When directly questioned ahead of Arsenal's Sunday match against Chelsea about Rice's potential to lift the Ballon d'Or, Arteta left no room for doubt. 'I hope so. That would mean we have won a lot,' the Spanish coach stated. He elaborated, 'It's normally very related (to trophies). Again, I think he was immense the other day. I think he has been immense since the start of the season. He is an incredible and crucial player for us.'
Team News: Injury Updates on Key Players
Alongside the Ballon d'Or discussion, Arteta provided updates on his squad's fitness. He confirmed that scans this week on both Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz were not entirely clear, but offered a positive prognosis, stating that both players are 'closer' to making a return.
Gyokeres has been sidelined since the 2-0 victory over Burnley earlier this month, while Havertz has been absent since the first weekend of the season. In further good news, the injury sustained by Leandro Trossard against Bayern Munich 'does not seem like much' and the Belgian forward could be available for selection against Chelsea.
