Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Arsenal have got the strongest squad in the Premier League, and one of the strongest squads in all of European football.
After winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last season, Mikel Arteta made sure to strengthen the team even further in the summer transfer window with deals for Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa, and Bruno Guimaraes, while Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were moved on.
The Gunners have also made big moves to retain their top stars, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, and Arteta all signing new long-term contracts at the Emirates Stadium.
Reports have suggested that the next player the club are targeting for a new contract is Declan Rice, who has become an influential member of the squad since his £105m move from West Ham in 2023.
Rice's current deal is due to expire in 2028, but talks are advanced for an extension to take him beyond that, and tie him to the north London side for the remainder of the peak years of his career.
But with Rice turning 28 this season, Bruno Guimaraes turning 29 next month, Mikel Merino already in his 30s, and Zubimendi also turning 28 this season, there are people at the club who are already looking towards the future and who the next generation of midfielder could be at Arsenal.
Arsenal have now seemingly identified the man who they feel could be the heir to Rice's spot in the midfield.
After Rice withdrew from the England squad for the current international break, Thomas Tuchel has handed out some opportunities. But nobody has taken their chance quite like Bournemouth star Alex Scott, who started alongside Elliot Anderson as the Three Lions thrashed Croatia 7-0 on Saturday evening.
Scott, who has been described as 'elite', is into the final two years of his contract with the Cherries, and is expected to have plenty of interest once again in 2027.
This past summer, Chelsea had two bids rejected for the 23-year-old all-rounder, including one worth in excess of £60m. Bournemouth are still pushing to get him to renew his contract, but as it stands, that looks unlikely. A move isn't expected to happen before next summer, but Chelsea are understood to be leading the race for his signature at this stage, according to The Telegraph.
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Scott Would Be Perfect Rice Heir
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Scott has been highly rated for a while now, but he showed against Croatia that he is capable of playing the Declan Rice role as well as anyone else.
His tenacity means that he is very good at winning the ball back, while he is technically sound in possession and excellent at carrying the ball forward. Those are all attributes that Rice excels at, and with a decent age gap between the two, it would make him the perfect heir to the role.
Arsenal would have to pay big to get a deal done, which is something they've never been afraid to do for the right player, while they would also need to overcome competition from several clubs for his signature. But if they are able to retain the Premier League title this season, it would put them in good stead to be able to convince top talents like this that they are the club to join.