Declan Rice makes significant Rodri admission amid Arsenal and Manchester City title battle

Arsenal’s stay defensive midfielder Declan Rice has made a significant admission around Manchester City’s equivalent first-team star Rodri.

The two midfield heavyweights are currently going head-to-head for the Premier League title once again, with Manchester City aiming for an unprecedented fourth successive top-flight crown under legendary coach Pep Guardiola.

The direction of the Premier League title remains firmly in the hands of the reigning champions, and should they win their remaining four games in the division this season, then their position on the throne will be cemented.

However, Arsenal have once again made significant strides in their own pursuit of glory this season, and a large part of their ongoing success can be credited to the performances of Declan Rice, after he signed for the Emirates club from West Ham last summer.

Speaking during a new interview with The Athletic this week, Declan Rice was asked how he felt about competing against Rodri both on the pitch, and in the wider ongoing Premier League title battle. “Good. I enjoy it,” the England international responded.

“We’re different players, I feel,” he continued. “With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he’s worked under Pep (Guardiola) for so long.

“He’s a lot more structured than I am. I’d say I’m a lot more off-the-cuff. Obviously, this season I’ve been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like… being free a little bit more.”

However, in a notable closing comment on the Spanish international, Declan Rice admitted, “There are different things that we complement each other on — but no doubt, he’s the best in the world.”

Rodri and Manchester City return to action in the Premier League on Saturday evening, as they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium, playing after Arsenal against Bournemouth – who take on their next run-out in the early Saturday slot.

City are not just limited to the Premier League title race however, as they continue their hunt for a domestic double this season, with an FA Cup final against Manchester United looming at the end of the campaign.