With ten games remaining, the England international has helped propel Arsenal to the top of the table with some outstanding performances in a more aggressive role, so those critics have muted.
When they play title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, Rice may face his toughest test to date. City attempted to buy Rice in the summer and had a £90 million bid turned down.
Will Rice be able to assist the Gunners over the finish line? Although they are now leading the Premier League, they were in the same spot after 28 games the previous season and lost. Liverpool, Arsenal, and in a thrilling three-way title fight, City is only one point ahead of the other team.
Arsenal’s roster has altered in two areas this season over the previous one: midfield and goal, where David Raya has taken Aaron Ramsdale’s place.
Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, and skipper Martin Odegaard were Arsenal’s most frequent midfield trio last season.
This season, Rice and Chelsea’s £65 million summer acquisition, Kai Havertz, make up the most often used central midfield duo with Odegaard.
Since joining the Gunners, Rice has started every Premier League game; the only other defender with more league minutes than him is center-back William Saliba.
