Describing the former West Ham man as ‘amazing’ this season, the Frenchman argued that his attacking talents are being restricted by the lack of a holding player in engine room. “Arsenal need to find a player that plays in front of the centre backs to give Rice the freedom to express himself,” he told Gambling Zone.

“Maybe Arsenal can play with two midfielders, with Odegaard in front of him. Of course, Rice can play that holding role, but when you watch him play, he looks like he wants to go forward because he has the energy and physical attributes to do it.

“I think Arsenal need to find a player like N’Golo Kante. Pogba and Kante worked beautifully as a central pair. Most of the time Pogba went forward and Kante stayed back, and vice versa. With Declan, Arsenal can do the same thing, they just need to find that perfect player to play alongside Rice.”

Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports.

The 25-year-old has been an ever-present under Arteta this season, playing 48 times for the club and scoring six times. Thomas Partey has recently returned alongside him in the middle, having missed the bulk of the campaign with injury.

Should the Ghanaian remain fit, his defensive qualities may give Rice the licence to push forward more frequently in the 2024/25 campaign. However, the 30-year-old is out of contract and eligible to leave on a free in 2025, meaning the club face a decision on whether to cash in this summer in light of his recent fitness issues.

Arsenal have already been linked with a potential replacement for Partey, Feyenoord starlet Quinten Timber. The twin brother of Jurrien, who himself moved to the north London club last summer before his campaign was wrecked on the opening day of the season with a serious knee injury, has excelled for the Dutch club in the 2023/24 campaign.

Already capped by Holland at senior level, the 22-year-old would represent a productive long-term signing for Arteta. However, developments around his club boss Arne Slot could hamper that prospect.

Slot has agreed a deal to take over at Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp leaves in this summer. He’s expected to take key players with him, with Timber reportedly in the frame to head with him to Anfield.