Declan Rice may only be two games into his Arsenal career but Ally McCoist believes the former West Ham captain could be the signing of the season.
The midfielder has settled quickly at the Emirates, helping them beat Manchester City in the Community Shield before playing the full 90 minutes of their Premier League wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said Rice "dominated the game" during Arsenal's 1-0 win at Selhurst Park on Monday night, while Jamie Carragher described the midfielder's performance as "outstanding".
"I thought he was fantastic. He really dominated the game,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
"He bossed the midfield and dominated the game. He was very influential, both attacking and defending. Today he played a different position to last week because of what we expected from Palace and what we needed today, and I think he was really good."While Carragher added: "Declan Rice was the best player on the pitch.
"I actually like him in the role he played tonight more than popping up between the lines. His initial position was to start in that deeper position and drive forward from it. I think that is where he is at his best."He has talked about learning different things from the manager, playing further forward, maybe playing in pockets. I don't think it fully suits him but I really liked what I saw. It felt like everything went through him. He was in the centre of the pitch, he was getting the ball, he was switching play - a couple of great 50 to 60-yard passes.
"But also when he made that run, he slipped a little pass to Nketiah. He was the best player on the pitch. I thought he was outstanding."
When asked to pick his best Premier League signing of the summer so far, former Scotland international McCoist wasted no time in naming Rice.
"No prizes for guessing, for me I think he’s been, and I knew he would be, absolutely terrific since he's gone to the Arsenal and that would have to be Declan Rice,” McCoist said on talkSPORT.
"I think he's a solid citizen he's obviously got bundles and bundles of talent but even when your back's against the wall you want him in your team."
Rice will hope to continue his excellent form when Arsenal face Fulham in a London derby at the Emirates on Saturday.
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