Arsenal’s Real Leader: Declan Rice Sparks Myles Lewis-Skelly
In a season marked by scrutiny and pressure, Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard has faced growing criticism for his form. However, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, there is another player who has emerged as a leader on the pitch, constantly inspiring youngsters like Myles Lewis-Skelly. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Robinson revealed that Declan Rice has visibly taken on a leadership role, guiding Lewis-Skelly and demonstrating the qualities of a future captain.
Rice has been in exceptional form this season, particularly in the Champions League, where he earned back-to-back Player of the Match awards in both legs against Real Madrid. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, with Robinson highlighting his leadership qualities, both on and off the field. “It doesn’t matter who wears the armband,” Robinson told Football Insider. “Declan Rice is a leader, you can see he’s a leader, both on and off the field. I think the way that he speaks, he’s quite visibly spoken to Myles Lewis-Skelly a few times on the pitch.”
Robinson’s comments come amid growing concerns about Odegaard’s form and fitness, with some Arsenal fans calling for him to be stripped of the captaincy. According to Football Insider, members of Arsenal’s backroom staff have expressed concerns about Odegaard’s performance throughout the campaign. In contrast, Rice has consistently delivered top-notch performances, earning him a reputation as one of the team’s most reliable players.
Rice’s emergence as a leader is significant, particularly given his relatively recent arrival at Arsenal. The midfielder has quickly established himself as a key player, and his influence on the pitch is undeniable. As Robinson noted, “At some point, he will wear the armband – whether that’s at Arsenal or wherever else. You can see that he’s a leader. It’s clear he has those qualities.”
The news will come as a boost to Arsenal fans, who have been eager to see a leader emerge on the pitch. With Rice’s guidance, youngsters like Lewis-Skelly are likely to continue to develop and grow, injecting fresh energy into the team. As the season draws to a close, Arsenal will be looking to bounce back in the Premier League and overturn a one-goal deficit in their Champions League campaign.
In other news, Arsenal’s summer transfer plans have taken a hit, with Manchester United reportedly confident of securing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres. The striker had been strongly linked with Arsenal, but now appears to be out of their reach. Despite the setback, Mikel Arteta’s side are still expected to bring in a marquee striker this summer, with Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins remaining high on the shortlist.
For now, Arteta will be focused on bringing his team back to form, as they look to finish the season strongly. With Rice’s leadership and guidance, Arsenal fans will be optimistic about their team’s chances of success in the coming months. As Robinson concluded, “Declan Rice is a born leader. He will wear the armband at some point in the future, and when he does, he will be an outstanding captain.”
Statistics:
* Declan Rice appearances: 48
* Declan Rice goals: 7
* Declan Rice assists: 10
Source link
