November 19th 2025.
Alan Smith, a former striker for Arsenal, believes that there is one player that the team cannot afford to lose for a long period of time if they want to win the Premier League title that has been eluding them for many years. As they prepare to face their rivals Tottenham on Sunday, Arsenal sits at the top of the Premier League with a four-point lead. They have had a strong start to the season, with only one loss and five goals conceded in their first 11 games.
It has been 17 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League, but they are currently the favorites to take the title this season ahead of teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Smith believes that it will be a close race between Arsenal and Man City, and that the team's resolve will be tested if they have to play without their star player Declan Rice for an extended period of time.
Rice, who joined Arsenal in 2023 for a record-breaking fee of £105m, has been a key player for the team and is considered one of the best midfielders in the world. When asked about how Arsenal would cope with injuries during their title bid, Smith mentioned the importance of having a strong squad and the ability to replace key players. However, he believes that Rice's absence would be felt the most as he brings a unique drive and set-piece ability to the team that cannot be easily replaced.
Another Arsenal legend, Lee Dixon, also agrees that Rice is the most crucial player for Arsenal's title hopes. He highlights the depth of the team and the presence of two players for each position, but points out that there is no replacement for Rice. Dixon praises Rice's all-round abilities and his role in linking the defense and midfield, as well as his impressive corner-taking skills.
With Rice being such a vital player for Arsenal, Smith and Dixon both believe that Manchester City is their biggest threat in the title race. They also rule out Liverpool as a potential contender after their recent loss to City. Smith admits that it is still early in the season, but he believes that it will ultimately be a two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City, making it an exciting and closely-watched competition.
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