Arsenal look to be real contenders this season.
The Gunners took everyone by surprise with their brilliance last term, but this season, their incredible start feels a lot more sustainable.
Indeed, Arsenal now seem to have mastered the art of getting results when they don’t even play well, and speaking on Premier League Productions, Clinton Morrison has picked out one player who he believes is behind Arsenal’s recent transformation into a more steely outfit.
Morrison has named Declan Rice as the player he believes has taken Arsenal to another level.
Rice has transformed Arsenal
Morrison shared his verdict on Rice.
“A million percent they’re title contenders. Arsenal are top and they’ve not even been playing well this season, that’s a good sign. Declan Rice has taken them to another level,” Morrison said.
Much more steely
Morrison is right, the addition of Rice to this team has seemingly completely transformed this side.
Last season, they were a free-flowing, attack-minded almost gung-ho outfit, but now, they’re much more disciplined and smart in their approach.
The Gunners no longer feel like they’re at risk of leaking numerous goals against lower-calibre teams.
Last season the likes of Bournemouth and Southampton were able to put Arsenal under real pressure, but this time around, it feels like Arsenal are ultimately in control of every game they’re in.
Of course, Arsenal can take the shackles off when they need to – they smashed Sheffield United to bits just a few weeks ago and hammered Lens on Wednesday, but it seems as though a more defensive approach is the order of the day at the Emirates this season, and Rice’s addition to this side has been a big part of that.
Arsenal look like a different team this season, and that’s largely down to Rice’s presence.