Patrick Vieira names the current Arsenal player he loves to watch

Gidibam Web2 weeks ago

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Image credit: Getty Images

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has heaped praise on Declan Rice, hailing the England international’s transformation under Mikel Arteta and backing him to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners face a daunting task on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes, as they look to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit and secure only the second Champions League final appearance in the club’s history. Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike at the Emirates stunned the home crowd last week and put PSG firmly in control of the tie.

Arsenal’s recent domestic form offers little cause for optimism, with Arteta’s side having managed just one win in their last five Premier League matches—a 4-0 victory over already relegated Ipswich Town. A shock home defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend further dented morale heading into the decisive second leg in Paris.

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Despite the uphill battle, club legend Vieira remains confident Arsenal are capable of a memorable comeback and believes Rice will be at the heart of any success. The 26-year-old midfielder has been in outstanding form in recent weeks, putting in man-of-the-match performances in both legs of Arsenal’s quarter-final triumph over Real Madrid.

Arsenal star Declan Rice — **Declan Rice (Image credit: Getty Images)**

Arteta’s bold decision to shift Rice into a more advanced midfield role has paid dividends, with the former West Ham captain thriving as a dynamic No. 8. The move has even drawn comparisons to Vieira himself, who dominated the Arsenal midfield during the club’s golden era.

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“I don’t like to make comparisons, because we are all different with our strengths and weaknesses,” Vieira said. “But all the credit goes to Mikel for seeing something in him—taking him from a holding role to more of an eight, where he can use his physicality and get into the box to score goals.”

Vieira continued: “He’s a player I love watching. I love his spirit, his competitiveness, the fact that he’s always looking to move forward—he’s a winner. I think the No. 8 position suits him much better. Before, you could say he was playing with the handbrake on, but now he’s unleashed.”