Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace on Sunday to move clear of some of their Premier League title rivals - and a rival boss has praised one of Mikel Arteta's transfers
Samuel Meade Sports Brand Writer and Matty Hewitt
12:38, 27 Oct 2025Updated 13:05, 27 Oct 2025
Mikel Arteta has been told Arsenal's Declan Rice signing in 2023 has taken them to the next level
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Mikel Arteta has been told Arsenal's Declan Rice signing in 2023 has taken them to the next level
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has hailed Arsenal's signing of Declan Rice as a game-changer, taking the Gunners to the "next level".
His Eagles side were narrowly defeated at the Emirates Stadium, with former Palace favourite Eberechi Eze netting the decisive goal for Mikel Arteta's team. Arteta has transformed the north London club into one of Europe's top sides in recent years, thanks to some savvy recruitment.
After their first title bid a few years back, they snapped up Rice from West Ham in a record-breaking deal worth over £100million.
The England midfielder has been a roaring success and is now considered one of the best in his position globally. Glasner believes Rice's arrival added another dimension to an already formidable Arsenal side.
The Palace boss said: "They play on the top level of the world and this is what they are showing: consistency, always analysing what kind of players to add to the squad to make the next level.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring Arsenal's 4th goal with Declan Rice and his team mates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on October 21, 2025 in London, England.
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Declan Rice has been on fire for the Gunners
"And that's over years, not just this summer. They saw Declan Rice two or three years ago and they bought him for £120m from West Ham...
"Always exactly knowing what kind of players they need to make the next step and then integrating them into their structure.
"Defensively, they are compact and always relying on their structure on set-pieces, having a fantastic balance in the game, so I think all of this and developing over many years now, doing many things right... then you are challenging for the Premier League title."
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Arsenal witnessed Liverpool and Manchester City both drop points over the weekend, leaving them seven points ahead of the Reds and six clear of Pep Guardiola's men.
Arteta has overseen four consecutive victories to seize command of the title race. Following Rice's arrival, the Emirates bosses have persisted in strengthening their squad, establishing Arsenal as frontrunners to conclude a 21-year drought for Premier League glory.
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Match winner Eze was amongst numerous summer acquisitions, with Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke also arriving.