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Danny Murphy says ‘faultless’ Arsenal star is looking like a £100m player
Danny Murphy has admitted that he is a little surprised by how quickly Declan Rice has adapted to life at Arsenal, insisting that he has been faultless since his move to the Emirates.
Murphy was speaking to as Rice prepares for his first return to the London Stadium since leaving West Ham in the summer.
Plenty of eyes have been on Declan Rice since his club-record move to Arsenal in the summer. There was plenty of intrigue surrounding whether the England international would be able to step up after his brilliant time as West Ham captain.
Danny Murphy surprised by how well Declan Rice has started at Arsenal
But any doubts about Rice’s ability to step up have been put to bed emphatically. The 24-year-old has taken absolutely no time to become one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet.
In fact, Danny Murphy suggested that he has almost been a little taken aback by how well Rice has done since his move to Arsenal as he was asked about how he would describe his transition.
“Faultless, really. Probably seamless is the word. I’ve watched him really closely, because obviously I know him a little bit and I was intrigued to see how he’d adapt. And he’s kicked on. He looks really comfortable in that team. And if anything, he’s become a leader in that side. Partey’s not getting a sniff because of his quality. He is, in certain games, being released out of that central position to go a bit more forward. He’s getting a couple of goals,” he told .
“Yeah he does [look like a £100 million player], if you compare him with Caicedo and Fernandez. Who would you rather have? Rice has looked really strong, really confident. I’m actually a little surprised he’s done so well so quickly.”
Midfielder still has potential to improve further
Like Bukayo Saka, Rice seems to step up whenever a new hurdle is put in front of him. And that is obviously incredibly exciting when you consider how young he is. There is huge scope for Rice to improve further in the years to come.
Of course, Martin Odegaard has done an amazing job as skipper. But there have already been suggestions that Rice could prove to be the next Arsenal captain in the future.
Certainly, it is looking like money very well spent for the Gunners. And given his ability to play in a couple of midfield roles, his arrival definitely gives Arteta some freedom in the market.
In all honesty, it perhaps should not have been a surprise to anyone that Rice has been so good for Arsenal.