Berbatov rates Vitinha, Bellingham, Rodri above Rice despite Arsenal star's Anfield masterclass

Former Man United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov told Metro that PSG's Vitinha, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, and Man City's Rodri are "still these types of midfield players... one of the best at the moment," placing them ahead of Arsenal's Declan Rice. This comes despite Rice earning Man of the Match in Sunday's 1-0 win at Liverpool, assisting Kai Havertz's winner.

Berbatov acknowledged Rice's importance to Arsenal—"he is a real leader," "you know what you get"—but warned his heavy workload through the festive fixture pile-up risks burnout. Rice played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's Champions League win over Slavia Prague. Arteta now decides whether to rest him for Saturday's Hull City clash.

For Nigerian Arsenal fans tracking the title race: Rice's fitness management could define Arsenal's December. Will Arteta rotate his engine room or ride Rice until he breaks?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/05/berbatov-names-three-midfielders-better-than-arsenals-declan-rice/