Arsenal fans believe Declan Rice is club captain in all but name after they overheard the pointed message he gave to his teammates during Sunday’s north London derby goal celebrations.

Bukayo Saka is currently wearing the armband in the absence of Martin Odegaard , but it is easy to see why England international Rice is such a prominent part of Mikel Arteta ’s leadership group which also includes Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes .

While Eberechi Eze stole the headlines and walked away with the man of the match award following a scintillating, history making performance, Rice comprehensively won the midfield battle and utterly dominated the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Paulinha.

Rice’s ball carrying ability, passing range and reading of the game have long been cons

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