Smith Identifies Declan Rice as Arsenal’s Irreplaceable Star

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has weighed in on the crucial components of Mikel Arteta’s title-challenging squad, designating midfielder Declan Rice as the club’s single most important player this season. Smith’s assessment centers on the unique role Rice plays and, crucially, the lack of a like-for-like replacement within the current roster.

Speaking to Metro UK, Smith insisted that should Rice face an injury setback, it would represent a “big loss” for the Gunners, a blow he believes the squad is currently ill-equipped to absorb. His comments arose from a discussion about how Arsenal would cope with potential injury crises as they strive to claim the Premier League title this season.

Smith contrasted the situation in midfield with other areas of the pitch where the team has demonstrated resilience. He noted that when players like Martin Ødegaard—whom he initially considered the main key player—were unavailable, others stepped up. He cited the emergence of players like Eberechi Eze, suggesting that the team has not experienced a significant “drop-off” in the attacking third.

However, the situation is drastically different in the crucial holding midfield role anchored by the England international. Smith pointed directly to Rice’s multifaceted contributions that would vanish if he were sidelined. He specifically highlighted the loss of “that drive in midfield,” referring to Rice’s ability to carry the ball, break up play, and transition defense into attack. Furthermore, he noted the midfielder’s increasingly vital “set-piece ability,” a weapon that has become incredibly important to Arsenal’s tactical setup this season.

In defense, Smith acknowledged the stellar performances but again pointed to adequate cover, referencing players like Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié who have stepped into the backline at various times without destabilizing the unit.

Ultimately, Smith’s conclusion was unambiguous: “Rice would be the biggest loss for me,” emphasizing that Arsenal simply “have not really got anybody to replace Rice” who can replicate his specific blend of defensive solidity, transitional speed, and aerial threat from dead-ball situations. His analysis underscores the central role the marquee summer signing has taken in stabilizing and driving the current Arsenal side.