Arsenal legend Alan Smith names Mikel Arteta's only irreplaceable player

Arsenal legend Alan Smith has identified Declan Rice as the only player whose absence would truly be felt at the Emirates, despite the club's significant investment in squad depth over recent transfer windows

Arsenal icon Alan Smith reckons Declan Rice is now the only irreplaceable player in Mikel Arteta's squad, with the Gunners having built impressive depth across the pitch.

Significant investment in recent transfer windows has transformed the squad, but their club-record acquisition from West Ham remains indispensable – a player whose absence through injury would leave a void that is almost impossible to fill. In previous campaigns, Arsenal have struggled when key personnel have been sidelined.

Last season, they grappled with a striker crisis, whilst the loss of William Saliba in 2023 significantly hampered their title challenge.

Now, however, they possess adequate backup options. Jurrien Timber arrived several years ago to strengthen the defence, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi have enhanced the midfield options, whilst Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres have all joined to provide considerable attacking threat.

Yet Rice occupies a pivotal position at the heart of midfield. Considered by many as the finest in the world in his role, Smith insists that any setback for the England international would leave Arsenal without viable solutions, such is his quality.

He told The Metro : "We've seen Arsenal lose a couple of key players, haven't we? Martin Odegaard was perhaps the main one but [Eberechi] Eze came in and we haven't really seen a drop-off.

"Declan Rice would be a big loss if he got injured because you would lose that drive in midfield and his set-piece ability which has become so important.

"They haven't really got anybody to replace Rice. The defence has been superb but even at the back, [Cristhian] Mosquera has come in at times and they've got [Piero] Hincapie as well, so Rice would be the biggest loss for me."

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has suggested that Rice has justified his hefty £105million price tag, with the midfielder elevating his performances to world-class status under Mikel Arteta's guidance.

Richards remarked: "I don't like singling players out because it's a team effort – and I have to give Mikel Arteta credit for building that – but I have to identify Declan Rice.

"He's taken his game to the next level now where you're taking about one of the best in world football.

"He can do everything and he's consistently putting in these performances which mean we have to start talking about him as one of the best players in world football."