Pundit Paul Merson believes Arsenal’s Declan Rice should have been awarded the Premier League Player of the Season prize over Phil Foden.
Foden had an impressive season with Manchester City, helping his team secure the league title with 19 goals and eight assists in the Premier League.
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However, Merson argues that Rice, who joined Arsenal last summer for a reported £105 million, elevated the Gunners to a new level.
He told Sky Sports (via Arsenal Insider): “Declan Rice has taken Arsenal to another level. I think Phil Foden has not taken Manchester City to another level. I think he has been outstanding but Declan Rice has taken the Gunners to another level.
“He’s just nearly got them to where Manchester City are. I think he has been consistent the whole season through. I mean Phil Foden has been outstanding. But, I am just thinking outside the box, just what I see.”
Rice primarily played as a number six after joining Arsenal, but he showcased his versatility by taking on a more box-to-box role toward the end of the season.
He featured in every single league match for the North Londoners, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Despite his efforts, Arsenal fell two points short of Premier League champions Manchester City, losing the title on the final day.
After the Gunners’ title hopes were dashed on May 19, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice claimed to have delivered a motivational speech to his teammates.
Mikel Arteta’s side secured a 2-1 victory against Everton at the Emirates, but Manchester City’s 3-1 win over West Ham United ensured they clinched the title.
Speaking about his message for his teammates, Rice said (via The Boot Room): “I think I’ve just said to the boys then, that feeling that we now have in our stomach, we need to live with that all summer and come back and know what the feeling’s like of losing and take it into the 38 games next year because we’re capable of winning it.”
The Gunners managed to lead the Premier League title race for 248 days last campaign as well but lost out to Manchester City by five points in the end. Their last league wim was back in the 2003/04 campaign.
