Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been named the Gooner News Player of the Year after taking 56.7% of the vote.
The 26-year-old has had an excellent season for the Gunners, with his best display undoubtedly being his performance in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
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There have, of course, been other tremendous displays, and Rice has definitely earned the accolade with his consistency in the middle of the park.
A poll conducted by Gooner News (which over 1300 people took part in) has revealed that the majority believe the midfielder was the outstanding player during the 2024/25 campaign :
When you press “view results”, you will see that Rice took top spot on 56.7%, with David Raya in 2nd on 24.7%
Gabriel was 3rd with 7.07% of the vote, with Bukayo Saka (5.8%) just edging out William Saliba (5.73%) for 4th place.
Rice has earned the plaudits of his manager as well as fans
Speaking after the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Real, where he helped his team win 2-1 on the night, manager Mikel Arteta was fulsome in his praise of the player following the final whistle:
“He turned the game around. He was immense, he made a difference.”
Of course, the two free kicks in the first game were the highlight from the two games but it does demonstrate he important he was to getting to the last four of the Champions League.
Arsenal have got the midfielder tied down for his best years
Rice’s contract runs to the end of the 2027/2028 season, and the Gunners also have an option for another year, which means supporters could potentially see him playing at the Emirates until he is 30.
Based on what we have seen from him in his first two years, there is every chance he could become a club legend if he continues in this vein.
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