Arsenal: One dream target to sign from every Premier League club

West Ham United

A centre-back who is now playing in central midfield, if Arsenal are looking for a young destroyer who is terrific defensively but perhaps slightly restricted in possession, there is no need to look past Declan Rice. The West Ham United midfielder has played every minute of the Premier League season thus far. That, in and of itself, is impressive and proof that he is both admired by his coaches and durable enough to handle a full season’s work.

He has also played well. Three tackles per game, 2.1 interceptions per game, both ranking in the top two for West Ham players. A very healthy pass completion rate of 86.2%, just 0.1% off the best of any regular starter at the club, including any defender — defenders tend to have higher pass completion rates given the types of passes they play.

And all this at 21 years of age. Rice is only improving, and he will continue to grow and develop in the future. His ability to moonlight as a centre-half only adds value, too. Price will be an issue. He is West Ham’s prized possession and will not come cheap, but given his age, performance and potential, he might just be worth it.