World Cup champion reveals which Arsenal player should win Prem player of the year

Declan Rice has been backed to become the Premier League’s Player of the Season by Arsenal double-winner Emmanuel Petit.

Rice, 25, joined Arsenal from West Ham in a deal worth up to £105 million, equalling the record for the highest fee paid for an English Premier League player.

The Gunners have assembled another formidable Premier League title challenge this season under Mikel Arteta with Rice forming a key part of their midfield.

He has played 47 times for the North London side, scoring six goals, and has been lauded for the difference he has made to Arsenal.

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Rice has added a new dimension to his game this year, driving forward to create chances and make assists, as evidenced by the part he played in the midweek goal against Chelsea scored by Leandro Trossard.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City star Phil Foden are among the frontrunners for the league’s top individual prizes.

Palmer, 21, has scored 20 Premier League goals and added nine assists in an ordinary Chelsea team since his initial £40m transfer from City during last summer’s window.

Foden, meanwhile, has scored 16 goals and made seven assists in the Premier League this term with the 23-year-old establishing himself as top man in Pep Guardiola’s attack.

Nonetheless, Petit believes that Rice deserves the plaudits, emphasising the midfielder’s leadership qualities as well as his ability on the ball.

Petit backing Declan Rice for Prem awards

“No, come on, you’re forgetting someone,” the France World Cup winner said on talkSPORT when Palmer and Foden had their names put forward.

“They have had a very good season, those guys, but I will say Declan Rice, because he left his club, £100m on his shoulders, and all of a sudden he was a huge hit straight away.

“And he has been marvellous and amazing all season, and I think that [he] was probably the missing link from last season.

“I wish I could play with him in midfield because it would be a big pleasure to play alongside him.

“The energy he puts into his game, the standards, every single game, the way he puts himself under pressure all the time.

“He never hides on the pitch, taking responsibility, he was born as a leader, he’s got so much quality that reflects on his teammates.

“And he’s calm, he never gets nervous, he always focuses on winning balls, winning games, trying to make the difference and hurt the opponent.

“This is how you win middles [midfield battles] and this is how you win trophies.”