A surprising assessment of Arsenal’s season is emerging from footballing legend Paul Scholes, who questions whether Declan Rice has truly been their most impactful player. Despite Rice’s prominent role, Scholes suggests other members of the squad have exerted a greater influence on their success.
Scholes specifically highlighted the immediate impact of Jurrien Timber, praising the defender’s performances as “unbelievable” and “brilliant.” He believes Timber’s contributions have been more significant than Rice’s, challenging the narrative surrounding the summer signing.
The debate extends to comparisons with other midfielders across Europe. Scholes admitted difficulty in definitively ranking Rice against players like Zubimendi, indicating a closely contested field for the title of best midfielder this season.
Jamie Carragher echoed a similar sentiment, expressing surprise at the lack of a clear standout performer in Arsenal’s attacking line. He noted the difficulty in selecting an Arsenal forward for his team of the season so far.
Carragher previously identified Gabriel Magalhaes as a highly influential figure, particularly due to his effectiveness at set-pieces and contribution to Arsenal’s strong defensive record. This underlines a broader point about defensive solidity being key to their success.
The absence of an Arsenal attacker in Carragher’s team of the season is particularly striking, given their commanding lead at the top of the Premier League table. He found it unusual that a team so dominant wouldn’t boast at least one player in their front four within the league’s best performers.
This analysis suggests Arsenal’s success isn’t built on individual brilliance in attack, but rather a collective strength and a particularly impactful defensive core. It’s a narrative that challenges conventional expectations for a title-contending side.
