“I think it’s time for Arteta to collect the Captain band from Odegard and give it to this guy”- Manchester United Legend Rio Ferdinand has told Mikel Arteta to collect Arsenal’s captaincy from Odegard with immediate effect and give it to….

Declan Rice, a talented player, is being suggested by Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand as a potential future captain for Arsenal. However, Ferdinand cautions that the scrutiny will be intense following Rice’s £105 million move (including add-ons) from West Ham United. On his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand shared, “I think as a character, he’s perfect. Declan knows as well, the knives and forks will be out waiting if things don’t go well immediately. So that’s a different pressure. He’s never had that pressure.”

Despite the challenges, Ferdinand is optimistic about Rice’s future at Arsenal and envisions him donning the captain’s armband eventually: “They’re the things that will be different for him that he will have to contend with, but I’ve got no doubt that he’ll have an impact at that football club over the years, and he’ll probably go on to be the captain of Arsenal at some point.”

It’s noteworthy that Rice, at 24, not only became Arsenal’s record-breaking signing but also holds the title of the most expensive British player in history. Mikel Arteta’s team pursued him vigorously, ultimately securing his services at a significant cost.

Rice, known for his defensive prowess, ball-handling skills, and increased goal contributions, scored five goals and provided four assists in 50 games across various competitions last season. His leadership qualities are evident, having captained West Ham to UEFA Europa Conference League glory and earned 43 caps for Gareth Southgate’s England national team.

Arsenal’s acquisition of Rice follows a season where they contended with Manchester City for the Premier League title. Despite falling short by five points, Arteta’s team lacked leaders in the crucial stages of the campaign, leading to their title challenge unraveling.