Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has praised Leeds United star Ao Tanaka and reaffirmed his belief that the Whites are one of the biggest clubs in England.
Rice first expressed his admiration for the club back in 2022, while still at West Ham, saying he had never experienced anything quite like the Whites' home support at Elland Road.
“Going to grounds such as Leeds and Everton last year, they are such tough grounds,” Rice told Tubes and Ange’s Golf Life back in 2022. “And their players are strong men. Then the crowd (get behind them).
"I feel like going to grounds and it’s a tough stadium. Like Leeds, I have never seen anything like it. It’s proper. I love it. I love getting stick from opposition fans. I am buzzing off it.”
Now, as Daniel Farke ’s side prepare for their return to the Premier League, the Arsenal man has admitted he’s looking forward to seeing them back in the top flight next season.
Rice also had high praise for Tanaka, who has been a key figure for Leeds since joining from German side Dusseldorf last summer. This season, the midfielder has scored five goals and provided two assists in his 43 Championship appearances, playing a crucial role in helping the Whites to Championship glory.
“There’s a few good players, there’s a guy at Leeds [Tanaka] he’s an unbelievable player,” Rice told Japanese outlet Weekly World Soccer. “He’s a top player, I’ve seen him play.
“Obviously as the Championship gets shown on the TV all the time and Leeds are a massive club, so it’s good to have them back in the Premier League.
"But I know he’s been their Player of the Season, and when I watch him play, he’s a really good player, really energetic, really good on the ball.
“And then you see Japan at the World Cup, and stuff like that, they’re a really good team, hard to beat, and Japanese football is massive.”
Leeds secured promotion back in April with a 6–0 thrashing of Stoke City on Easter Monday. They went on to clinch the title a few weeks later, finishing level on 100 points with Burnley but topping the table on goal difference.