Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has said that Jurrien Timber has been better than even Declan Rice for Arsenal this season, saying that Timber is the bigger reason for Arsenal being way ahead of the rest of the pack in the Premier League title race.
Scholes said that Rice and Martin Zubimendi have been on a similar level this season, but he felt the defenders have performed at a higher standard.
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes said that he doesn’t see Rice as the best footballer in the world, arguing instead that Arsenal’s defenders deserve greater praise for having made a bigger impact this season.
“Has Declan Rice been that special this year? I really like him, but I am struggling to see that he is the best player in the league
at this point. I think your defenders have probably had a bigger influence than Declan Rice,” Scholes said.
“I like him, but I am just saying I don’t think he is the best player in the Premier League this year. I just think your defenders have had a bigger influence, the likes of Timber,” Scholes added.
Arsenal take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, January 28. The Gunners head into the clash after consecutive goalless league draws, while the Red Devils arrive buoyed by last weekend’s victory over Manchester City.
Scholes has suggested Arsenal are poised to win the Premier League because Liverpool and Manchester City have faltered. However, he added that Mikel Arteta’s team wouldn’t be leading the table if those rivals were at their best, pointing out that the Gunners have yet to defeat any of the league’s top sides.
“One thing Arsenal have not done is they have not won a big game, beat a Liverpool or a Man City, they still have not done it. And I said earlier in the season that I cannot see them winning the league unless they start beating those types of teams,” Scholes had said on The Overlap.
