Adrian Durham: Arsenal have stuck knife into Declan Rice with Bukayo Saka contract

Declan Rice has every right to be furious about Bukayo Saka’s new Arsenal contract and should walk away from the club if he doesn’t get a new one, Adrian Durham believes.

The Gunners announced Saka’s contract extension on Thursday afternoon just a day after the north London side had slipped up at Wolves in the title race.

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Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against Wolves in midweek, a result that means their lead at the top of the table sits at five points having played a game more than rivals Manchester City.

The title race is set to go to the wire this season and City’s welcome of Arsenal in April could ultimately prove decisive.

talkSPORT understands that Saka will be paid north of £300,000-a-week, overtaking Kai Havertz as the club’s highest paid player.

And Durham believes that Rice must be ‘fuming’ about Saka’s hefty pay rise, saying as much on Fiery Fridays.

Rice, Rice, Baby

“Rice gives everything every game,” Durham began on talkSPORT Daily.

“He’s always available. He covers every blade of grass. He never rolls around pretending to be injured. He’s the heartbeat he team. He’s more of a captain than Odegaard will ever be.”

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Durham continued: “And yet, he’s just heard that news that Saka has become the highest paid player at the football club.

“He must be fuming. In one stroke, Declan Rice’s commitment and quality has been totally disrespected.

“So, I see giving Saka a fat new contract as an insult to Declan Rice.”

Rice out?

The talkSPORT presenter then said that the player’s agent should be storming to the Arsenal training ground and demanding a new and improved deal, or to force an Emirates exit.

“Making [Saka] the highest paid player just absolutely sticks the knife in and if I was Declan Rice’s agent, I’m pinning Arteta up against the wall, asking what’s going on,” Durham added.

“I’m advising him to demand a new improved contract. And if Arsenal can’t deliver that, force a move out of the club in the summer and go somewhere that’s going to respect Declan Rice’s talents.”

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Rice has been so good this season he is even among favourites to be nominated for a Ballon d’Or award, the most prestigious individual award in football and presented to the best player in Europe each year.

North London Forever?

Arsenal will hope to return to winning ways this weekend when they make the short trip across the capital to face rivals Tottenham.

The north London Derby will prove a baptism of fire for newly appointed Spurs boss Igor Tudor, who was named interim head coach over the weekend.

Tudor takes over from Thomas Frank after the Dane was relieved of his duties at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank departed following Spurs’ 2-1 loss to Newcastle last week, a defeat that leaves the club just five points above the relegation zone.

Spurs have been warned about the ‘catastrophic’ cost of relegation as the club strive to consolidate their top-flight spot.