Shearer gives emphatic response to Rice criticism with Fernandez comparison

08 August 2023 , 07:43

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Shearer gives emphatic response to Rice criticism with Fernandez comparison

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has highlighted three things that Declan Rice will bring to Arsenal this coming campaign after comparing him to Chelsea ace Enzo Fernandez.

Rice joined the Gunners just shy of a month ago for a British record fee of £105million including add-ons. Most Arsenal fans aren't particularly concerned by the eye-watering fee, as it seems that it was always going to take a staggering offer to force West Ham into parting ways with their captain.

The former Hammer skipper has improved with each pre-season friendly he has played for the Gunners, but knows that he'll need to hit the ground running when the competitive action starts if Arsenal are to go one better than last term and end their 20-year wait for a league title.

Despite accusations from some that Arsenal have overpaid for Rice, Former Manchester United man Roy Keane being one of them given he is of the belief the England ace "is certainly not worth £100m", Shearer was emphatic in his stance that the deal will be a successful one for Arsenal.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the Newcastle icon explained: "Very good signing, a lot of money. Once Chelsea paid what they did for Enzo Fernandez then that was always going to be the money that he went for over £100m. A lot of money but I think he’s an exceptional player. [He gives them] solidity, leadership, reliability."

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Shearer's sentiments echo that of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who waxed lyrical about what Rice brings to the Gunners dressing room.

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Declan Rice has been tipped for big things at Arsenal by Alan Shearer (Getty Images)

"We want him to put on the quality and abilities that he has and let him express his personality and the way he thinks about the game in the right way," the Gunners manager claimed. "If we can help him with a few things, that’s what we will try to do, but we’ll try to accommodate his qualities into the team to be better.

"His leadership skills are unquestionable. When you meet him and you spend the first five minutes with him, you get the feeling and impression that he’s someone who is going to help so much, with the dressing room and the approach that we want to take into games and have the initiative in our way of living.

"Things take time and they have to be natural, but if it has to happen, it will happen."

Rice put in an impressive performance during Arsenal's Community Shield victory over title rivals Manchester City last Sunday, but was hauled off before he could have the chance to step up for his new side in their successful penalty shootout efforts.

Josh O'Brien