“We’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice” - Arsenal legend Lee Dixon says he can see 24-year-old star join Gunners next season
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon is of the opinion that Lille midfielder Angel Gomes could be the perfect fit beside Declan Rice for the Gunners next season. The Ligue 1 star started alongside the former West Ham United man for The Three Lions in their latest 3-1 UEFA Nations League win against Finland on October 13.
The 24-year-old usually occupies a slightly higher position in midfield as compared to Rice. This means that the Gunners would have to use Rice in a number six role while allowing Gomes to play as a box-to-box midfielder.
While Chelsea have been credited with an interest in the ex-Manchester United star, Dixon sees him moving to the Emirates. He was quoted as saying by Metro (via CaughtOffSide):
"I think Angel Gomes would fit in at Arsenal superbly. His qualities are clear to see, he’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice."
“He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.”
Gomes is currently contracted with his employers till the summer of 2025, after which he will become available for free. To date, he's made 123 appearances across competitions for Lille, bagging nine goals and 19 assists.
Should the Gunners show an interest in Gomes, it would be a step in the right direction as far as the midfielder's career is concerned. The north Londoners are poised to challenge for top honors this campaign, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
However, he'll have to see off competition from the likes of Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey for regular minutes.
When Roy Keane slammed Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice over lack of contribution in the final third
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Roy Keane once slammed Arsenal star Declan Rice for his lack of productivity in the final third. The England international seems to have proved the pundit wrong following his £105 million move to the Emirates last year.
In his first season in north London, Rice bagged seven goals and 10 assists from a deep-lying midfield position. Speaking about the ex-Hammers man in 2023, Keane said (via Arsenal Insider):
"He doesn't score enough goals, he doesn't get enough assists, he needs to do more in every aspect."
While Rice had a successful 2023/24 campaign, he's yet to get going in the current campaign. After having featured in nine matches across competitions, the 25-year-old has bagged a goal and an assist.