Declan Rice fires back at Gary Neville jibe amid Patrick Vieira Arsenal comparison

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted he would love to reach the level of Patrick Vieira in the coming years. The Gunners were one of many European giants chasing Rice's signature during the summer transfer window, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Manchester United all keen on the 24-year-old.

But the England international chose a move to the Emirates Stadium over the other UEFA Champions League regulars, a huge coup for Arsenal sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta. Since then, Rice has enjoyed an excellent start to life in north London, delivering some impressive performances in midfield, winning the club's Player of the Month Award for August in the process.

Now, the 24-year-old has claimed that he would love to continue developing, saying that he wants to one day reach the level of Gunners icon Vieira. Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine about his targets, Rice said: «Vieira. It's a big challenge, but I would love to reach that level.»

The former West Ham United captain's comments may very well be in response to recent criticism from Manchester United legend Gary Neville, who claimed that his £105million price tag was excessive. Speaking about Rice to Sky Sports last month, Neville said: «For £100million I think you want goals and assists at the top end of the pitch sorting out, but the last six months has completely changed the perception of midfielder players’ values.

»You mention Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, personally they are the two best midfield players that we have seen in British football and I don’t think Declan Rice is in that category."

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