Arsenal's number one star faces harsh criticism

Paul Scholes stirs controversy by asserting that Sandro Tonali is a more well-rounded player than Declan Rice, even though the English midfielder is shining and is a pillar for Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

While Declan Rice is performing impressively and helping Arsenal maintain their Premier League lead, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes holds a contrasting view. The former English midfielder believes Newcastle's Sandro Tonali is the superior player, a statement that surprised many Arsenal fans.

Speaking on the show The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes acknowledged that Rice is a well-rounded player but hasn't yet reached the level of finesse and effectiveness he expects from a world-class midfielder.

“I like Rice; he has everything: stamina, technique, and game reading ability. But sometimes he holds on to the ball a bit too long and tries to make everything look flashier than necessary. Tonali does everything more simply, neatly, and efficiently. To me, he is the true modern midfielder,” Scholes commented.

According to Scholes, what makes Tonali stand out is his ability to control the tempo, distribute the ball, and influence the entire team's play. The MU legend emphasized: “I like midfielders who control the game, those who can defend and set the attacking rhythm. Tonali does that naturally. Rice is strong but sometimes lacks subtlety in his ball progression.”

Not stopping at Rice, Scholes also stated he prefers midfielders who lean towards control and creativity rather than purely being a 'destroyer.'

“I don’t count players like Caicedo or Rice among my favorites because I prefer players like Vitinha at PSG or Mac Allister at Liverpool. They know how to regulate and choose the pace, which is what I value most in a midfielder,”Scholes added on the podcast Stick to Football.

Meanwhile, Declan Rice continues to prove his worth at Arsenal. The English midfielder recently delivered an excellent performance in the 2-0 win over Burnley, scoring Arsenal's second goal.

However, Scholes' comments highlight a clear difference in perspective between two generations of English football: one being Rice's powerful, muscular style, and the other the finesse and rhythm Scholes sees in Tonali.

Coach Mikel Arteta, of course, pays no attention to these debates. After the Burnley victory, he praised his player warmly: “He stepped up when the team needed him most. Rice not only breaks up play and contests possession but also influences the game and scores. That’s the progress I want to see.”