Arsenal have been linked with an unlikely January move for Douglas Luiz, who has been outstanding for Aston Villa this season.
The Brazilian has been outstanding for Unai Emery’s side, who now sit above Arsenal in the Premier League table.
Arsenal seemingly want Luiz given Thomas Partey’s injury problems, but a deal looks difficult as Aston Villa are unlikely to be willing to let a key player go, and the previously estimated £60m price tag now looks too much low.
However, Arsenal have a midfielder in their ranks who has been even better than Luiz this season in Declan Rice.
Jamie Carragher claims Declan Rice has surpassed Douglas Luiz
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has picked Rice over Luiz in his Premier League team of the season so far, and has now explained why he prefers the Englishman to the Villa star.
“I would only choose one of Luiz, Rodri or Rice,” he said posted on X in response to a fan who questioned Luiz’s absence from his selected team.
“I went for Rice because of some late winners that were crucial. And I went into a new club with a huge fee and playing like I’d been there for a long time.”
Was Declan Rice better than Douglas Luiz?
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Until the last two games where Arsenal fell to disappointing defeats, Rice has been sensational for Arsenal since his arrival in the summer.
Unlike some of Mikel Arteta’s other signings, Rice settled in straight away, quickly becoming one of the club’s best players and arguably the most consistent player in the squad this season.
Rice brought physicality to the middle of the park while also scoring crucial goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and Luton.
Luiz has been better in front of goal, with six goals and three assists this season, but four of his strikes have been penalties.
Rice has been compared to Roy Keane and was also praised for his performance away to Liverpool as he was a standout player at one of the toughest grounds for Arsenal to go to.
Arsenal have struggled creatively this season but have been defensively strong and Rice has been key to that.
Luiz would be bought with the intention of playing alongside Rice, not instead of him, and while he has been excellent for Villa, Carragher’s take on Rice’s adaptation to a new team puts him straight ahead when comparing the two sides their campaigns.
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