Arsenal kicked off 2026 in the same way they ended 2025, with an impressive win against tough Premier League opposition.
Mikel Arteta's side didn't have it all their way against Bournemouth, but thanks to a Gabriel Magalhães strike and a brace from Declan Rice, they came away with all three points.
It was another sensational showing from the Gunners' £105m man in a campaign that's had plenty of them, and if he plays anything like that against Liverpool, the North Londoners can be confident of another three points on Thursday night.
Therefore, fans should be seriously excited about reports linking Arsenal with another midfield monster who could end up being another Rice-esque signing for Arteta and Co.
Arsenal target Rice-like star
Since his big-money move to Arsenal in the summer of 2023, Rice has been nothing short of a revelation for Arteta's side.
The former West Ham United captain is the quintessential all-action midfielder, capable of halting opposition attacks and kick-starting his own.
Moreover, the 26-year-old is the perfect combination of physical power and technical ability, so it's no surprise to hear that the club are looking at someone who could develop in a similar way.
Rice 2025-26 stats
At least, that is according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Arsenal are among several sides interested in Kees Smit.
Alongside the Gunners, the report states that Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also all interested in the AZ Alkmaar star.
The bad news for the North Londoners is that, alongside the intense competition, the price of the young midfielder could prove to be an issue, with the story claiming that the Dutch outfit could demand as much as €75million for their star player, which is about £65m.
With that said, while it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, it's one Arsenal should fight for, as Smit could be a future superstar and another Rice-like monster for Arteta.
Why Smit could be another Rice for Arsenal
So, the first key similarity between Smit and Rice is where they play, and more specifically, their versatility.
Kees Smit
When Arsenal signed the latter, most fans expected him to be the club's long-term six, which is where he played for most of the first season.
However, in the years since, he has moved into the left-eight role and then this season has popped up all over the pitch, interchanging with Martin Zubimendi at the base of midfield and then crashing the box.
Smit's versatility
Position
Central Midfield
Attacking Midfield
Defensive Midfield
Left Winger
Right Winger
Right Midfield
All Stats via Transfermarkt
This is a path the young Dutchman could potentially follow in North London, as while his most played position is central midfield, he has also made appearances in attacking and defensive midfield.
On top of this, the 19-year-old monster in the making appears to play the game in a similar all-action style to the Englishman.
For example, respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson described him as a "midfield powerhouse" who "roams around running games in midfield and does everything with a high intensity."
Mattinson goes on to highlight that fans can often see the teenager "picking up the ball from the GK to progress play or attacking the box to finish moves."
That sounds an awful lot like the Gunners' midfield general.
Finally, if you are still unconvinced that the AZ ace could be a future superstar, then just take a look at some of his underlying numbers.
Smit's Scout Report
Statistics
Total Carrying Distance
Progressive Carrying Distance
Touches (Att 3rd)
Carries into Final Third
Shot-Creating Actions
Progressive Carries
Carries into Penalty Area
xA: Expected Assists
Passes into Penalty Area
Key Passes
Take-Ons Attempted
Through Balls
Tackles (Att 3rd)
Touches (Att Pen)
Successful Take-Ons
Shots Total
Goal-Creating Actions
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of midfielders in the next 14 competitions for progressive carrying distance, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for passes into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, it might not be an easy deal to get done given the amount of interest, but Arsenal should do what they can to sign Smit, as he might just be their next Rice.
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