Philippe Senderos amazed by how ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal player has started the season

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Philippe Senderos has lauded Declan Rice following his unbelievable start to life with Arsenal, suggesting that he looks as though he has been playing for the Gunners for a number of years.

Senderos was speaking to talkSPORT after the 24-year-old scored the goal which brought Mikel Arteta’s side back into the game in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the weekend.

Declan Rice has been an outstanding signing for Arsenal. Some may have had their concerns about how he would fare stepping up a level. And of course, the transfer fee which took him to the Emirates put him under some pressure.

But his performances would not suggest that. Rice has arguably been Arsenal’s best player in what has been another very impressive start to the campaign.

He has also scored a couple of crucial goals. It was his strike which put the Gunners in front in stoppage-time against Manchester United. And he finished brilliantly to hand Arsenal a lifeline against Chelsea on Saturday.

Declan Rice has been unbelievable for Arsenal

It was a leader’s performance. And Philippe Senderos suggested that it has been remarkable just how quickly Rice has settled in in North London.

“Rice has been unbelievable at the beginning of the year, and has given the stability to the forward players to have more freedom,” he told talkSPORT.

“He’s come into the team and looked like he’s been playing for Arsenal for many years.”

Gunners deserve credit for making move happen

What has been so impressive about Rice is that he has impressed in a couple of different roles. He has shown that he can provide the defence with that cover and support. But he has also stood out as more of a number eight.

Already, the England international has to be considered one of the first names on the team sheet alongside the likes of William Saliba and Bukayo Saka.

That is a remarkable achievement given how recently Rice joined the club. And he deserves so much credit for establishing himself in the side so quickly.

But the club also deserve praise. They identified him as a key target. And they made sure that they got a deal across the line, when some would have probably backed away over that sort of fee.