Gary Lineker gives definitive response when asked who’s better… Arsenal’s Declan Rice or Man City’s Rodri

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Arsenal and Manchester City supporters have constantly been debating who the better midfielder is – Declan Rice or Rodri.

The two sides have gone toe-to-toe for the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons. They have both been fantastic, but it’s Manchester City who have come out on top on both occasions.

However, Arsenal are closer than ever to pipping Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table, and Rice’s presence in the middle of the park is one of the biggest reasons why.

But, the question still remains – is Rice better than Rodri?

Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have had their say on the debate after watching the two midfielders represent their countries at Euro 2024.

Gary Lineker picks who’s better – Declan Rice or Rodri

Rice and Rodri could’ve easily been teammates at club level now.

In the summer of 2023, Manchester City tried extremely hard to sign the England midfielder from West Ham United, but Arsenal won the race for his signature.

Pep Guardiola even confirmed that Rice rejected Manchester City because he preferred a move to the Emirates Stadium instead.

Since then, Rice and Rodri have been rivals, and there has been a huge debate over who the better midfielder is.

Paul Merson said that Rice is right up there with Rodri back in March and claimed that he has taken Arsenal to a whole new level.

Richards, who is a former Manchester City player, has always been adamant that the Spaniard is much better than the England midfielder.

Now, Lineker has had his say.

On the Rest is Football podcast following Spain’s win over France on Tuesday night, when Richards asked him to pick between Rice and Rodri, Lineker replied: “I think Rodri is the best holding player in world football.”

READ MORE: Declan Rice explains why he’s very different to Manchester City’s Rodri

Rice can do one thing much better than Rodri

The Rodri vs Rice debate will go on for a long, long time.

The two midfielders are the best in the world at what they do, but if you look at the stats in the number six role and trophies won over the years, Rodri comes out on top.

However, there is one thing that Rice does that makes him much more complete than Rodri.

The Arsenal man played a lot of games last season as a number eight, and he was exceptional in that role. He added another dimension to the Gunners’ attack.

Rodri is magnificent but only as a holding midfielder.

The fact that Rice can operate in two different roles at the highest level makes him the more complete player, in our opinion.