SAMI MOKBEL: Rice & Rodri could be in PL's pantheon of great midfield rivalries

Echoes of Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. Shades of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Whether the latest chapter of enthralling Premier League midfield rivalries stands the test of time remains to be seen: but Rodri versus Declan Rice is brewing away just nicely.

Rarely out of each other’s eyeshot, neither giving an inch. Bruising and balletic in equal measure.

Painstaking graft complimented by a technical excellence and tactical acumen that illustrates the very best of what these two exceptional teams have to offer.

Rodri: Manchester City’s puppet master. Rice: Arsenal’s beating heart.

This was an occasion that didn’t require over-hyping; although when we reflect on the 90 minutes this morning it will leave many of us unfulfilled.

But meshed within this intriguing, but rather placid, clash between, arguably, England’s best two sides emerged a compelling battle of wits between two supreme footballers at the top of their game.

Each going about their business in an irrepressible manner befitting of the occasion, if not the anti-climactic result.

Dishing out punishment, suffering their own blows - but somehow finding the fortitude to drive their team-mates forward.

Rodri nicked the ball off Rice’s toes to initiate a City attack; only for the Arsenal midfielder to race back to atone like his life depended on it.

Later, Rice burst through City’s lines with the energy and zest that has typified his season only to be faced with Rodri’s 6ft 3ins frame stopping him in his tracks.

Neither player accepting of defeat; personal or collective.

After the final whistle, with members of both teams on there haunches, the pair sought each other out and embraced.

Game recognises game - and both were looking strikingly familiar to one another.

The sort of