Arsenal have been making calls to sign PL star who could be their next Rice

Arsenal came into this season with one ambition: to finally win the Premier League.

There is now just under half of the season to play, and while a lot could go wrong, Mikel Arteta’s side are on course to achieve their goal.

More than that, the Gunners are also top of the Champions League, through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and in the semi-finals of the League Cup.

While it’s been a collective effort from the North Londoners to get where they are, some players, like Declan Rice, have played a more significant role than others, and now, if reports are to be believed, Arsenal could be looking to sign someone who’d be another version of the Englishman.

Arsenal target their new Rice

When Arsenal splashed a club-record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, the expectations placed upon him were enormous.

Fortunately, two and a half years later, you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan or pundit who doesn’t think the Englishman has more than lived up to his price tag.

Whether it’s breaking up attacks, kickstarting them for his team or being a leader without the armband, the midfield monster can seemingly do it all and has become one of Arteta’s most important players.

With that in mind, it’s not surprising to see that the club are now looking to sign someone who could be another Rice-like figure for them.

At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has claimed that Arsenal are very much interested in Marc Guehi.

In fact, according to the Italian journalist, Arteta has been “calling” the Crystal Palace star over a potential move in the summer, when he’ll be a free agent.

However, Liverpool remain as interested as ever, and Manchester City continue to push for a move this month.

Romano stated: “I can tell you that on Marc Guehi the real intention of the player has always been to move in the summer on a free transfer, with Liverpool really pushing and Arsenal calling because Arteta is a big fan. These two clubs are insisting. Bayern are also having meetings for Guehi. Man City want to make an important proposal and go strong for Guehi in the January window.”

In all, it could be a difficult deal to get done for Arsenal, but given Guehi’s immense ability, it’s one they should fight for, especially as he could be their next Rice.

Why Guehi could be Arsenal’s next Rice

Okay, so the elephant in the room is that no, Rice and Guehi do not play in the same position, even if the former West Ham United captain did at the start of his career.

However, the fact that the Palace star could be another version of the former Hammers ace for Arteta and Co doesn’t have a great deal to do with where they play.

For example, one of the clear similarities between the moves is that it would be another example of the Gunners picking up the best player from a fellow London side.

Not only that, but it would be another time in which Arteta has had a great deal of influence over the career of a current England star.

Yet the similarities go even further than that, as, like Rice, the Eagles’ 6-foot titan is also their captain and has shown time and time again that he’s a great leader.

For example, while Eberechi Eze got the goal, it was the defensive monster who led the South Londoners to FA Cup glory last year.

Finally, on top of everything else, the former Cobham gem is also, in the words of Palace correspondent Bobby Manzi, “a monster” of a player, and his underlying numbers prove as much.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals plus assists and goal-creating actions, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for key passes and more, all per 90.

In other words, on top of his defensive qualities, which are apparent with the eyetest, the 25-year-old is also someone who can help out in attacking situations, like the Gunners’ number 41.

Ultimately, while it might be a challenge, Arsenal should do all they can to sign Guehi in the summer, as he could have a Rice-like impact on Arteta’s side.

Related

Saved by Martinelli: Arteta must drop Arsenal dud who dropped a 5/10 v Pompey

While it was a game to remember for Gabriel Martinelli, it was one to forget for one of his Arsenal teammates.