David Raya insists that his Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice is among the top three midfielders in the world given his current level of performances.
Rice was the driving force behind Arsenal’s superb 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid which saw the Gunners reach their first Champions League semi-finals since 2009.
The Englishman was named man of the match in both legs, bossing the midfield in Madrid a week after scoring two superb free-kicks at the Emirates.
Rice now turns his attention to the challenge posed by Paris Saint-Germain, whose dynamic midfield three have helped establish Luis Enrique’s side as the team to beat in this tournament.
But Raya is confident that Rice can rise to the occasion as he heaped praise on the 26-year-old’s current capabilities.
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‘He’s got to be top three in the world,’ the Spaniard told Amazon Prime when asked where Rice ranks in the world’s best midfielders.
‘He can do everything from playing as a six to an eight, defending or attacking, and of course, he can take free kicks now!
‘He’s better this season than he was last year, and he’s still young but he’s definitely made the step to become a top player and a leader.’
Another Englishman who has impressed in Mikel Arteta’s side is Myles Lewis-Skelly who has enjoyed a remarkable rise throughout the course of his maiden season the first team.
The 18-year-old delivered two assured performances against Real, and Raya sees no reason why the teenager can’t continue in that same vein against PSG in the semi-finals.
‘His performance at the Bernabeu for his age was incredible,’ he said.
‘The composure he has on the ball for someone that is 18… How he drives with the ball, playing the third-man, coming inside, driving with the ball. It’s special.’
Asked about the threat posed by Arsenal’s semi-final opponents, Raya added: ‘I watched their match with Villa and it was a hell of a game.
‘Even if you look at from where we played them this season, they look a completely different team now.
‘I think they press really well together and they play the same way from the first minute until the last.’
Arsenal vs PSG will be broadcast live on Prime on April 29th with coverage starting from 6.30pm. Tuesday’s biggest UEFA Champions League fixture is shown exclusively on Prime at no extra cost to members.
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