‘If he stays fit’ – Arsenal superstar Declan Rice already on the verge of prestigious award

Declan Rice is all-but certain to be named PFA Player of the Year if Arsenal win the league.

That is according to our Inside Gooners show, which has stressed the importance of keeping him fit for the club’s title charge.

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Rice is enjoying the best season of his career, adding regular goals and assists to what was already an impressive repertoire.

The England midfielder has five goals and six assists in all competitions, while also establishing himself as one of the game’s most lethal dead-ball specialists.

With Arsenal currently seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, ex-Gooner Adrian Clarke believes he is already in line for the top awards should the club hold their nerve.

“If there’s one player I don’t want to lose to injury, it’s Declan Rice. If we do win the league, he probably wins Footballer of the Year,” Clarke said.

“He is two players rolled into one. He’s one of the best ball-winners around. He’s got that drive and the ability to score great goals.

“But he’s also a great set-piece taker – he’s probably the best set-piece taker on the planet at the moment.

“Then I haven’t got to his personality – which is the type you want in any winning dressing room.

“He is unreal and he’s got to stay fit. If he stays fit, I’m pretty sure we’ll win the league.”

Ex-Arsenal winger Perry Groves added: “Nobody says £105million Rice anymore. I still think he’s got another level as well.

“I actually think he can score more goals. He should be looking at 15 to 20 goals per season.”

Now or never?

Rice was visibly frustrated at full-time during Arsenal’s recent 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.

With closest rivals Manchester City on a four-match winless run, including a defeat to Manchester United earlier on Saturday, the Gunners have now missed two opportunities to go out of sight.

The disappointing result at the City Ground followed an uninspiring goalless draw at Liverpool in their previous Premier League outing.

Reflecting on Rice’s viral reaction to the Forest stalemate, Groves admitted the midfielder looks like a man who is tired of being runner-up.

Groves said: “You’re allowed to have emotions. I want that. I want personality. I want you to be annoyed, as long as you channel it in the right way.

“I don’t think he’s the sort of player to do that just because the cameras are on him. All of them are fed up of coming second.

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“[They’ve finished] second three times in the Premier League. Rice and Bukayo Saka – second twice for England. They can feel it. They look around the squad of players and they go, ‘This is our time. We can’t miss this opportunity’.”

Clarke added: “They’re not kids now. They’re in their prime. Rice knows this team has to win stuff. And he’s desperate for it.”