Conor Coady has admitted he’s been amazed by Declan Rice’s performances for Arsenal so far this season.
The Leicester City defender has been speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live and singled out Declan Rice for praise.
Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League table with a narrow 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday.
It’s no secret the Gunners haven’t been at their best so far this season. But Mikel Arteta’s side continue to find a way to pick up positive results.
One man who’s played a huge role in their early-season success is Rice, who joined from West Ham for a fee worth £105 million over the summer.
The 24-year-old has taken next to no time to settle in at Arsenal and has quickly established himself as a key man under Arteta.
And Conor Coady feels Rice has been a ‘massive factor’ in helping Arsenal to a near-flawless start in the league.
Coady lauds Rice after Arsenal beat Brentford
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Coady explained why he thinks Rice has added a different element to the defensive side of Arsenal’s game.
“I think he’s been a massive factor,” the England international said. “We can see him driving forward with the ball but I just think his defensive nous, how he’s always in the right position.
“How he can interpret where the ball is going to go. I think that’s huge for the back four.
“But I just think how the manager there has thought about it in the summer, he’s just gone right, how can I be a little bit different? How can I do things a little bit differently?
“I remember the end of last season they were conceding a few goals as well so, I think it’s full credit to how they’re going about it.
“I think Declan’s been absolutely huge and I think that’s what he’s brought to the team.”
Rice has certainly added some much-needed bite to Arsenal’s midfield and his signing has come at the perfect time given Thomas Partey’s struggles with injury this term.
Many baulked at the huge fee Arsenal paid to land the England international over the summer.
But he’s proving to be worth every penny the Gunners splashed to land him and Ian Wright has recently said he feels ‘guilty’ over the fee they paid West Ham.
Rice was brought in to propel Arsenal towards a Premier League title and based on the evidence so far, he seems capable of leading them to major honours.