Gary Lineker has showered one Arsenal player with praise after his most recent international performance this week.
The Gunners are enjoying quite the summer with their players out on international duty, with four Arsenal players set to represent their country in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli making the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
With Mikel Arteta developing the likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba into some of the best players on the planet, it’s perhaps no real surprise that an Arsenal player could now end the summer as an international champion.
And England legend Lineker has been very impressed with one Arsenal player in particular this summer.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice highlighted as one of England’s most ‘important’ players
Speaking on , Lineker was full of praise for Declan Rice on how important the 25-year-old Arsenal star’s role is for England, with the midfielder impressing last night against Switzerland.
It has been an unusual Euros for Rice, with the former West Ham captain yet to really find his best form for England that made the record-breaking Arsenal signing such a success in north London last season.
Yet for Lineker, Rice’s latest performance for England showed just how important his role actually is for the Three Lions, even if Gareth Southgate isn’t getting the maximum amount of quality out of the Arsenal superstar.
Lineker said when talking about Rice’s role for England this summer at the Euros: “He did a really important job for England. I mean, so many times he made interceptions and he kept England ticking.”
England still have to learn to get the best out of Rice
Whilst Rice can perform as the deepest midfielder for England well enough, it’s clear that Mikel Arteta’s plan to convert the former West Ham star into a left-sided no. 8 is exactly where the 25-year-old’s future lies.
Rice enjoyed his best season ever in his first year at Arsenal under the guidance and tactical genius of Arteta, where the England star hit double digits in goals and was a constant attacking threat for the Gunners.
And for the Three Lions, a plan needs to be set in place to transform Rice into this sort of player, with the midfielder clearly better suited to driving forward and joining the attack rather than sitting back and controlling the game from deep.
Arsenal chasing Riccardo Calafiori and mystery German target as England face Switzerland
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent victory over Slovakia at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka featuring again, Man City star Kyle Walker came under scrutiny.
With Arsenal also linked to Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, the pair explained why the Italy star could be the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta. Recent social media rumours surrounding a potential Arsenal move for a Germany International were also addressed, with some candidates named.
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