Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer say ‘superb’ Arsenal player was even better than Bukayo Saka in 2023

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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both believe Arsenal’s Declan Rice had a better 2023 than Bukayo Saka.

The two Englishmen are among the best players in the Premier League. They are crucial to any success Arsenal will achieve this season, and it’s hard to pick who has been better out of the two. Lineker and Shearer, however, have made the same choice.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer pick Arsenal’s Declan Rice over Bukayo Saka

2023 was a great year for both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, wasn’t it?

The midfielder led West Ham United to European glory before sealing what was then a British-record move to Arsenal in the summer.

Apart from the last two games, Rice has been exceptional for the Gunners, and he really is up there with the best midfielders in the world.

Saka too is an extraordinary footballer, Gary Lineker has already claimed that he loves watching him, but the pundit, along with Alan Shearer, believes Rice was the best English player in 2023.

After Micah Richards picked Saka, Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast: “I’m actually going to go with another Arsenal player, Declan Rice.

“You have to take into account what he did at West Ham, because it’s 2023. He lifted a trophy. Then had that enormous move to Arsenal for a huge fee and he has just stepped into things like he has been there all his career. I think he has been brilliant.

“Saka has been brilliant as well, I love Saka to bits, but I’m going to go with Declan Rice.”

Shearer then added: “I’m going to go with you, Gary. I’m going to go with Declan Rice. I think he’s superb, and he’s going to play a big part for England in the summer.”

Arsenal need Saka and Rice to step up

After getting so close last season, Arsenal’s aim this campaign is to win the Premier League title.

The Gunners have a solid squad of players when everybody’s fit, and they’ve already shown they can beat the big sides – they picked up a win over Manchester City.

However, they have had a bit of a blip recently, winning just one of their last five games. Things have to change now, and Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who are arguably their two best players, need to step up.

Arsenal take on Liverpool on Sunday. If Saka and Rice have a good game, the Gunners should be able to pick up a win and knock Jurgen Klopp‘s side out of the FA Cup.