Declan Rice ‘can be as good as Patrick Vieira’ according to former Premier League midfielder

'In four years time we'll be talking about Declan Rice like we talked about Patrick Vieira'

Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer after the Gunners beat Manchester City to his signature, paying £105m for his services.

The midfielder may be the most expensive British player of all time but he has looked value for money and been one of Mikel Arteta's best players as the north London club remain in the hunt for Premier League title once again.

On Saturday, he put in another stellar performance as he got a goal and an assist in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

'He will be there'

Last month, TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole said that while he isn't there yet, Rice has the potential to be among the list of all-time great names to have played for Arsenal such as Invincibles winner Vieira.

"Dec's a great player," Cole told JOE, "But they've got some all-time greats.

"I'm sure in four years time, we'll be talking about Declan Rice like we talked about Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas but I won't embarrass him and put his name there yet."

Arsenal's win over Bournemouth put them four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the league. However, Pep Guardiola's men have two games in hand on the London side, and play Wolves at home on Saturday evening.

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