MIKEL ARTETA has been told to replace Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard with the ‘brilliant character’ that is Declan Rice.
In the wake of Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat of Liverpool on Sunday, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit argued the talented midfielder should captain The Gunners.
Rice has been central to Arteta’s team since he moved from West Ham last summer for a mammoth £105 million, a price tag he has since managed to justify.
In an interview with Compare.bet, Petit praised him, saying: “Arsenal won the game because of the midfield.”
“It was the key to the performance and they dominated the midfield physically, technically and tactically.
“Jorginho and Rice were both absolutely brilliant.”
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He went on to gush about the England cert, saying: “What is there left to say about Declan Rice?
“He should be Arsenal captain for me.
“He has such a brilliant character and he is a leader.
“He has something different to the rest of the players and is so influential in big games.”
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Arsenal’s victory celebrations at the Emirates Stadium last weekend have been put under the microscope, with many thinking they overdid it massively.
Skipper Odegaard defended them, saying him and his team-mates had every right to react as they did.
But Petit was less than impressed by Odegaard’s reaction, calling it ‘strange.’
He vented his frustration about his former team’s OTT response to beating the current League leaders, saying: “Odegaard was acting like they won the league.”
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“You’ve just won a game, it’s just three points. Calm down.
“I understand why they were so happy after a big win and a great performance but you have to be careful.”
Despite being critical of their post-match antics, Petit is optimistic about The Gunner’s future, especially if Arteta chooses to stick around.
The Spaniard was linked with a potential move to Barcelona, which he slammed as ‘fake-news’ and admitted the accusation had made him ‘really upset’.
Petit said: “Arsenal can absolutely become the team to beat in the league.
“They have a young team, a great manager, they are improving every year and all the building blocks are in place.”
And went on to state he would not understand why Arteta would leave, saying: “The story is not yet finished between him and Arsenal.
“It would be a mistake if he left, a huge mistake.
“Especially if it’s Barcelona, they are an absolute mess at the moment.”
Rash move
Petit also offered his views on Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who has linked with a sensational move to Arsenal.
The England star recently hit the headlines after a waitress spilled the beans on his Belfast bender.
He later redeemed himself after playing well in United’s 3-0 defeat of West Ham, although Petit is not convinced by the star’s attitude.
The French ex-midfielder said of the forward: “Rashford would be welcome at Arsenal amid links, but would have to work on mentality if he wants to start.
“There is one big problem with him – he is so inconsistent.
“We all know what he is capable of on the pitch but he is a sensitive guy and he needs to protect himself a bit better.
“From what I can see, things impact him a lot and it can affect his performances on the pitch.
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“If he wants to come to Arsenal, he needs to grow up.
“He couldn’t just come and think he’ll be the star man at Arsenal.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
