Arsenal is at the top of the Premier League table, but in reality it doesn’t feel that way.
On Saturday, Gunner slammed West Ham 2-0 at home, converting the second half penalty as the hammer rarely threatened, highlighting the fact that after Declan Rice broke the impasse on his front side, Bukayo Saka didn’t convened a single shot on the target.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium was generally rather flat. Perhaps because of the rather dull game offered to attendees, even 0-0, there was no doubt about the victory.
More importantly, once again, Mikel Arteta was injured by yet another important player. The Absenters derailed their title aspirations last season.
So, if the captain is on the sidelines for some length, should a key figure labeled “the best in the world” start wearing an armband?
The latest in Martin Ødegaard’s injuries
As Martin Ødegaard discovered this week, four days are a very long time in football.
The Norwegian who faced Olympiacos on Wednesday night was his sublime, sparkling, sparkling best.
Manager Arteta described Ødegaard’s performance as “inspiring,” but athletic Dan Sheldon praised his “beautiful sharp passes” and outlined “playing somewhat deeper,” allowing him to control all aspects of the game and actually run the show.
However, coming on Saturday, for his third consecutive home Premier League match, the 26-year-old was kicked out in the first half, plagued by shoulder issues against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. This time I suffered a knee injury.
Arteta then said the news was “not positive.” Ødegaard left the stadium on his knee braces and concluded strictly, “Wait…it’s not going well.”
So, if the skipper is forced to sit down the game after a Fulham, Atletico Madrid, Crystal Palace and perhaps an international break, who should wear an armband instead?
Arsenal’s future captain is now “the best in the world.”
When Ødegaard was sidelined both this season and the last, the armband was rather shared, with Gabriel and Saka wearing it in recent games.
However, after yet another excellent exhibit against his former club on Saturday, Rice really came to the forefront as the leader of this Arsenal team.
In football history, 11 players have moved over £100 million, of which have proven success by a very few. Giant players can also be down as Alexander Isaac and Florian Wiltz discover them at Anfield.
Well, Rice certainly defies the trend of being clearly outstanding every week in that regard, and the table below records his importance to Arsenal this season.
Declan Rice 2025/26 Statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
statistics | Rice | Arsenal rank |
Min | 676 | No. 5 |
the goal | 1 | 7 days |
assist | 2 | First |
Completed Pass | 437 | Third |
Key Pass | 14 | First |
Pass to the last 3rd | 33 | Second |
Progressive Carry | twenty one | Second |
There’s a corner | twenty four | First |
Shot creation action | twenty four | First |
block | 7 | Third |
Ball recovery | 36 | First |
touch | 565 | Third |
Statistics via FBREF | ||
As the numbers are highlighted, Rice has become a total all-around.
He leads the way in terms of key passes and shot-making actions. Most of it is his professional set piece delivery and ball recovery courtesy, contributing very much to every area of the pitch.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank of All People Speaking About Archie Gray at a press conference on Friday, claimed that Rodri and Rice are “the best in the world” in their position, adding that this is because “they can do a little bit of everything.”
The US has been in use at its midfield base from the start of Saturday, regardless of where he is deployed, so it’s hard to disagree with that assessment, considering he can perform great no matter where he is deployed.
In his final season at West Ham, culminating in conference league glory, Rice was the club captain, wearing the English armband for the first time last year with Belgium and highlighting his leadership abilities.
So, if Ødegaard is always on the sidelines, Rice looks like an obvious candidate to lead Arsenal at Craven Cottage in two weeks.
