Arsenal aren’t in the best of form at the moment, but it’s important not to lose sight of how good this team can be when they’re in form.
Indeed, while Arsenal are four without a win in the Premier League, they still have some fantastic players in their squad who are more than capable of helping change Mikel Arteta’s side’s fortunes.
Speaking to the Premier League, Kai Havertz has been discussing some of his Arsenal teammates, and he’s reserved some special praise for Declan Rice.
Rice has been criticised for his performances so far this season, but Havertz maintains that the midfielder is a very special player who is so important to this Arsenal team.
Kai Havertz hails Declan Rice
The German spoke incredibly highly of Rice.
The attacker says that Rice is an unreal player who could become an absolute legend at Arsenal.
Gary Neville named Rice as one of Arsenal’s most important players, and Havertz seems to agree with that verdict.
“Yeah he’s very important, he’s so important to us. In every aspect of the game, defensively and also in the attack. He’s never shy, he’s never hiding, he speaks a lot, he’s just unreal, and he’s only young too, so hopefully he will be a big Arsenal legend,” Havertz said.
Declan Rice stats this season
Rice has been criticised for his performances so far this season, and when you look at the stats, it’s not hard to understand why.
Indeed, Rice’s performance has dipped in a number of important metrics.
| Declan Rice 2023/24 | Declan Rice 2024/25 | |
| Goals | 7 | 0 |
| Assists | 8 | 1 |
| Tackles per game | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Interceptions per game | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Passes per game | 58.6 | 40.9 |
Of course, we’re only 11 games into the season, but Rice would have to get 13 goal contributions in 27 matches if he’s going to match his output from last season, and that appears to be very unlikely.
Rice seems to have lost a bit of what made him so good this season, and Arsenal are suffering for it as they’re some way off the pace in the race for the Premier League title.
Fingers crossed Rice can rediscover his best form soon, because, as Havertz says, he’s an unreal player when he’s at his best.
