Declan Rice decision speaks volumes after huge confirmation as Arsenal star rewarded

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice looks set to be rewarded by England for consistently performing at a high level for his club. The 26-year-old has played significant minutes for both club and country over the last few years with his output in front of goal also increasing.

From his 12 appearances this season, Rice has two goals and four assists with those returns made even more impressive considering he has been left out of three of Mikel Arteta's starting XI's. Adequate rest has allowed him to continue thriving, though concerns over a back injury emerged during last weekend's win over West Ham United.

Rice had put the Gunners in front against his former club but was forced off in the latter stages with a back complaint. There were fears over his availability for England, but those concerns dissipated when Arsenal confirmed that Martin Odegaard had pulled out of the Norway squad and did not mention Rice.

He has arguably been the one constant in midfield for England over the last few years, but it was Elliot Anderson who stole the headlines during the last international break despite Rice's goal against Latvia and two assists in the dominant 5-0 win in Serbia.

However, it is quite clear that head coach Thomas Tuchel sees his value with Rice to captain the Three Lions for this evening's friendly against Wales as Harry Kane is set to miss out through injury, as confirmed by BBC Sport.

Rice wore the armband representing England for the first time last year in their 1-0 defeat to Brazil. Rice was named West Ham club captain back in 2022 and has remained a key leader since his move to Arsenal the following year.

Many supporters and pundits, including former defender Tony Adamas, see him as the Gunners' most suitable skipper, but Arteta and the playing squad have stuck by Martin Odegaard.

"My opinion is clear, and it is the same as all the staff and the players," the Spaniard admitted when presented with the suggestion that Rice could be a better captain than Rice.

"I asked them to vote [for] the captain yesterday and by a mile, by a mile, they all choose the same person, Martin Odegaard. Which is the most clear sign you can have of how the squad feel we can improve."

Even with the Norway international missing a fair chunk of the last 12 months with injury, both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes have taken on the responsibilities ahead of Rice. That decision could be down to Arteta not wanting to add another job onto Rice's plate given what he already asks of him in both boxes.

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