Declan Rice Named Best in the World by Emmanuel Petit as Arsenal Star Redefines the Midfield Role
Petit Backs Declan Rice’s £100m Transfer Fee and Says Only Nicolo Barella Can Rival His All-Round Game
When Declan Rice swapped claret and blue for the red and white of Arsenal last summer, eyebrows were raised at the British-record-equalling £100 million transfer fee. Fast forward less than a season later, and Emmanuel Petit believes the Gunners didn’t just get their money’s worth — they got the best midfielder in world football.
Petit, the former France international and a man who knows a thing or two about commanding a midfield at both club and international level, has lavished praise on Rice’s influence since joining Arsenal from West Ham. In his eyes, no one is currently playing the position better. Not even the elite talents of Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich. Only one name, according to Petit, belongs in the same bracket: Inter Milan’s tireless engine, Nicolo Barella.
“He’s Taken It to the Next Level”: Petit Praises Rice’s Rise
Speaking to Sambaslots, Petit didn’t hold back in his admiration. “Declan Rice proved last season that he is worth £100 million and now he has taken that to the next level,” he said. “He proved he was a leader in the team last year, acting like a captain. Every game he has been at his highest level.”
And it’s hard to argue with that. Rice has not only slotted seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, he’s elevated the entire midfield. Whether he’s shielding the back four, driving through the lines, or scoring clutch goals, the 26-year-old has brought an edge and an assurance that’s transformed the Gunners into genuine Champions League contenders.
Petit went on to acknowledge that Rice looked a little fatigued after a long summer at the Euros and admitted the England international made a “silly” error in picking up a red card earlier in the season. But the key point? He learned. He adapted. And he got better.
“He has step by step progressed to the very highest level,” Petit added. “He is worth £100 million without a doubt and it would be very, very expensive if a club tried to sign him from Arsenal.”
More Than a Defensive Midfielder: Rice’s Complete Game
Declan Rice’s evolution into one of the most complete midfielders in world football has been one of the standout stories of the season. Traditionally viewed as a defensive anchor — a destroyer who breaks up play and keeps things ticking — Rice has blown that stereotype apart this year.
Under Arteta, he’s been given license to roam, to join the attack, to test goalkeepers, and to make bursting late runs into the box. His passing range has sharpened, his pressing has become more coordinated, and he’s shown a knack for stepping up in the biggest games.
That was evident in Arsenal’s recent Champions League quarter-final demolition of Real Madrid. Across two legs, Rice was everywhere — intercepting passes, launching counterattacks, and even laying on a goal himself. The 5-1 aggregate scoreline may have grabbed headlines, but Rice’s individual performance underlined just how far he has come. He wasn’t just part of the win — he was one of the key reasons for it.
Nicolo Barella: The Only True Rival?
It says a lot that Petit sees only Nicolo Barella as a genuine peer to Rice right now. The Inter Milan midfielder has long been admired for his stamina, tactical awareness and technical ability, and he’s once again been one of Serie A’s standout players this season. His performances have even caught the eye of Real Madrid, who are rumoured to be keeping tabs on the Italian.
“In Barella, there is a player that I’m not surprised has been linked to Real Madrid,” said Petit. “But alongside him, I would say that Rice is the best midfielder in the world at the moment.”
That’s some praise — especially coming from a player who lined up alongside Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Didier Deschamps during his illustrious career. But it’s also an indication of just how much Rice has improved, and how highly he is now regarded across Europe.
The Bigger Picture: Arsenal’s Midfield General
For Arsenal, Rice has become more than just a £100 million marquee signing. He’s a leader, a difference-maker, and a symbol of their resurgence. Alongside the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz, Rice has brought steel, maturity and a winning mentality to the heart of the team.
And this is just the beginning.
Still only 26, Rice has time on his side. He’s already captained West Ham to a European trophy, established himself as a key man for England, and now he’s playing a central role in Arsenal’s push for both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
The weight of expectation hasn’t crushed him — it’s elevated him. And as Petit rightly points out, it’s not hard to imagine that if any club came knocking now, it would take a mind-boggling fee to tempt Arsenal into even considering it.
What’s Next for Declan Rice?
There’s no time to rest. Arsenal’s season is reaching its crescendo, and Rice will be at the centre of everything. Next up? A titanic Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, starting on Tuesday, April 29 at the Emirates.
It’s the kind of stage where legends are made — and Rice is ready for it.
The journey that started in the West Ham academy, matured in claret and blue, and now flourishes in North London is far from over. But if Emmanuel Petit’s words are anything to go by, Rice has already arrived at the very top. The best in the world? Maybe. But at the very least, he’s playing like someone who’s determined to leave no doubt about it.
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