Gallas calls Rice a 'monster' and Arsenal's best player this season
William Gallas has declared Declan Rice the standout performer in Arsenal's squad so far this season, describing the midfielder as a 'monster' who now operates on 'another level' at the Emirates.
Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table with 27 points from 10 matches, five clear of second placed Brighton and Hove Albion, and have also picked up 10 points from four Champions League games this campaign. Rice has contributed one goal and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions this term, continuing the influential form he showed last season when Arsenal won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final.
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Gallas: 'Rice right now is maybe the best player'
Speaking to FlashScore, the former Arsenal defender praised Rice's all round influence in the middle of the park.
“It is Declan Rice. He's a monster,” Gallas said. “What he has done has put him on another level now at Arsenal, and I think he understands how important he is for the club and for the team. When you look at his performance, every game, you can see in his game that he has that powerful strength, but at the same time he controls the midfield. He's very relaxed. When he has to be strong, he's strong. When he has to be calm, to control the game, he can do that too. He can defend. He can attack as well. For me, I would say, yeah, Rice right now is maybe the player who has been the best in an Arsenal shirt this season.”
'It is a one horse race', says Gallas
The former Chelsea defender also gave his verdict on Arsenal's title prospects, suggesting neither Liverpool nor his old club will be able to mount a serious challenge.
“I don't think so. At the beginning, for the first five games, everybody was talking, and even I was thinking that the race was going to be between Arsenal and Manchester City, but now City don't look that strong,” Gallas said. “So maybe one more team will be there. That means the race won't just be with Manchester City. It can be with another team, but that team, I don't know if it's going to be Liverpool. I'm not sure. Chelsea are not ready yet, to be honest. That second team will emerge at the end of the season, and is not going to be so close behind Arsenal. That's why it looks like Arsenal can really go and win that title. It is a one horse race.”
Gallas tempered his prediction with a note of caution, pointing to the business end of the campaign as the real test.
“But as we know, it's just the beginning of the season. I know everybody is very excited. Everybody sees Arsenal winning that trophy twice in a row, but let's see what is going to happen, because we know the most difficult part of the season is going to be in February and March.”
Arsenal will look to maintain their advantage at the top of the table as the fixture list thickens through the winter months, with Rice expected to remain central to Arteta's plans in both competitions.
