Thierry Henry and Piers Morgan agree on Declan Rice's role in Arsenal title bid
Declan Rice has been the subject of glowing praise from both Thierry Henry and Piers Morgan as his Arsenal career continues to go from strength to strength.
The England international cost the Gunners an eye-watering £105million after they lured him away from London rivals West Ham in the summer, but Rice has quickly made that huge figure look like a bargain with a string of sensational displays, including his most recent outing against Sheffield United.
Mikel Arteta's men made light work of the Blades, beating them 6-0 on their own patch and were even 5-0 up before the interval. It's been a stunning start to the calendar year for Arsenal, who have won all seven of their league games in 2024 by an aggregate score of 31-3.
The two away league clashes prior to that saw the Gunners beat West Ham 6-0 and Burnley 5-0. The display against Sheffield United was undoubtedly the most dominant, largely thanks to Rice's elite performance and the 25-year-old even popped up with a goal to make it five on the night and five for him this season.
After the game, Gunners legend Thierry Henry analysed Rice's display and the differences in his game since arriving at the Emirates. “People were talking about, and I know that I am going off last season, okay, Xhaka last season, oh he is better," the Frenchman explained.
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"No, he is not better. He plays in a different position, so you cannot see his weaknesses where he used to lose the ball more often than not. Declan Rice, we know that he is magnificent there, but he playing higher than he has ever played in his career. So, obviously he is at the end of movement to give assist and to score goals.
"Look at him – the run he made, you know the header against Luton when he goes into the box. He wants the ball, he is there, he is allowed because he has Jorginho under."
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Declan Rice bagged his fifth goal of the season for ArsenalHenry's assessment was insightful, while Gunners fan and journalist Morgan opted to instead just wax lyrical about Rice. Speaking to talkSPORT over why he now believes Arsenal will win the title, he claimed: "If you ask me above all else what has been the difference, it’s Declan Rice.
"I think he’s been the best signing Arsenal have made since Dennis Bergkamp back in the mid 90s. Last season we choked the league because we didn’t have the right kind of players with the right mentality.
“I think putting Declan Rice in front of the defence has made it purr, the keeper [ David Raya ] has proved Arteta’s faith in him right. I think that when you put it all together Arsenal have a better team and mentality last season and are playing football that’s frankly scintillating."
Arsenal are vying for their first league title since 2004 and are still firmly in the race with 11 games left to play. The Gunners currently sit third, two points behind league leaders Liverpool and a single point adrift of second-placed Manchester City.
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