Chris Sutton was full of praise for the performance of Declan Rice as Arsenal thrashed Lens to book their ticket to the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Sutton was speaking to BBC Radio Five Live as the Gunners ran out 6-0 winners at the Emirates to wrap up top spot with one game to spare in their group.
It is hard to think of what there is still left to say about Declan Rice. Arsenal fans knew that they were getting a superb player in the 24-year-old. However, there is always an element of risk when a team smashes its transfer record.
Chris Sutton praises ‘outstanding’ Declan Rice
But Rice has silenced any talk over his transfer fee. He has been absolutely superb, whether he is playing as the holding midfielder or used as more of a number eight. And you would imagine that he could quite easily do a job in a number of other roles too.
Certainly, Chris Sutton was hugely impressed by his latest performance. And he suggested that that has been par for the course since he moved to the Emirates in the summer.
“Another excellent display from Declan Rice. He is the outstanding signing for them from the summer. He’s been so impressive this season,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.
Midfielder has taken Arsenal to another level
Big money moves so often seem to work out poorly for the buying team. Of course, Arsenal know better than most how a club-record fee can really hurt a player.
But Rice has risen to the challenge. And he looks as if he has been in that Arsenal midfield for the same period of time as Bukayo Saka – who made his debut five years ago.
Rice has elevated Arsenal to another level. He perhaps brings a similar amount of quality to Thomas Partey. But he is so rarely unavailable. And that makes a massive difference when Arteta is looking to build a spine which can guide Arsenal towards glory.