Arsenal legend Robert Pires has delivered the ultimate compliment to current Gunners star Declan Rice, declaring the England midfielder belongs in the same elite bracket as club icons Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
Invincible Praise for Modern Star
Pires, who won two Premier League titles under Arsène Wenger, believes Rice is the type of talismanic figure essential for ending the club's long wait for the championship. The Frenchman's comments come as Mikel Arteta's side, despite a recent 0-0 draw with Liverpool, hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Since his £105 million move from West Ham United in 2023, Rice has been a cornerstone of Arsenal's resurgence, missing barely a game and being crowned the club's Player of the Season last year. Pires, himself one of Wenger's most shrewd signings, left no doubt about Rice's standing.
'You Need a Player Like Declan Rice'
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Invincibles hero outlined the caliber of player required to lift the trophy. "If you want to lift the trophy at the end of the season you need a player like Declan Rice," Pires stated. "You need a Patrick Vieira, a Thierry Henry, a Tony Adams… and Declan Rice is in the same circle, yes."
Pires also expressed his unwavering optimism about Arsenal's current title pursuit, adding: "I’m always positive. I always have a good mood and a good energy when I come back to Arsenal."
Roy Keane's Verdict: 'A Top Player in the World'
Rice's transformative impact has drawn praise from across the football world, including from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. Analysing the midfielder before Arsenal's clash with Liverpool, Keane hailed him as "one of the top players in the world."
"He seems a pretty humble guy but he’s also got a bit of confidence about him, you need a little bit of an ego to play for a big club," Keane said. "His role has changed a bit, he’s getting forward a lot more... Is he one of the top players in the world now? I do think he is, given what he’s doing at Arsenal and of course with England as well."
Keane concluded that Rice "makes the players around him better," underlining his all-round influence on the pitch.
The Gunners recently took a break from league action, advancing to the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth, inspired by a Gabriel Martinelli hat-trick. Attention now turns to a busy period featuring a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea and crucial Premier League fixtures, with Rice's presence central to their ambitions on all fronts.
