Arsenal star is one of the ‘best in the world’

It’s still early in the season, but Arsenal look unstoppable at the moment.

Mikel Arteta’s side won their 10th game on a spin against Salvia Prague on Tuesday night, keeping their run of eight games without conceding.

What’s more, the Gunners sit top of the Premier League ahead of the weekend when Liverpool take on Manchester City.

However, Arsenal are not a perfect team, and despite having stars like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka playing in the squad, creativity has been an issue for much of the season.

Arsenal’s creativity this season

Now, overall, I have to say that this Arsenal team is probably the closest to perfect of any team in the Premier League.

After all, they have by far the best defense and have managed to score 18 goals, and yet there is a sense that they could step up another gear in the coming months.

However, like any team, the Gunners have had some weaknesses this season, particularly in their open play creativity.

Immediately after the draw with City, for example, everyone’s favorite Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claimed that the club’s problems were “emerging”.

At the time, it was hard to agree with Arteta’s opinion, as his team only created two big chances despite having 67% possession. And against Liverpool a few weeks ago, we didn’t have a single big chance.

Another way this lack of creativity is evident is in the lack of assists from the club’s top players such as Saka and Odegaard.

For example, the former has not registered a single assist in the league yet, although he has had some good performances this season.

Similarly, the captain has had to deal with some injuries, but his one assist in 204 minutes in six games is still far from impressive.

Fortunately, things have started to improve in recent weeks, with other players starting to step up and be more creative, with one star player in particular starting to emulate the best of Saka and Odegaard in his own game.

Arsenal stars who play like Saka and Odegaard

Players who have stepped up in recent weeks include Leandro Trossard, with an assist against Burnley, and Julian Timber, with an assist against West Ham United.

But there is another regular starter, Declan Rice, who has steadily improved the creative side of his game and is now able to do some of the things fans have come to expect from Saka and Odegaard.

Yes, the all-action, tough-tackling midfield monster who has been, in the words of Thomas Frank, one of the “best in the world” since his £105m arrival in 2023, is now something of a creative force for Arteta and co.

His incredible shots from corners and free-kicks, for example, are now effectively a cheat code for the Gunners, and if they don’t lead to goals, they at least lead to great chances.

But it’s not just in dead-ball situations that the Englishman has started to show Odegaard-like passing width.

For example, Mikel Merino’s equalizing goal against Newcastle United was effectively open play, although the attack started with a corner kick.

And against Slavia Prague, he sent a pinpoint-accurate cross into the penalty area, which the Spaniard again headed home.

Finally, in addition to the five assists he provided this season, his underlying numbers further highlight how his overall creativity has improved.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in the league in progressive passes per 90 minutes, top 4% in total passing distance, expected assists, crosses, top 8% in live ball passes and switches, and more.

After all, Rice has been a great player for Arsenal over the past two years, but he has taken another step forward this season, showing the level of passing range and creativity we have come to expect from Saka and Odegaard.