EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal star Declan Rice is a more worthy Player of the Season contender than England teammates Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
That is the view of Gunners legend Emmanuel Petit, who believes the 24-year-old has proved why he is a £100million player.
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Rice has been ever-present for Mikel Arteta since joining from West Ham last summer - chipping in with six goals and eight assists in 47 games in all competitions.
He has been a standout player for the Premier League leaders, with World Cup and European Championship winner Petit claiming he wished he could have partnered him in midfield.
Appearing on talkSPORT Drive, Petit insisted that 'it's very easy' who should win the award, leading co-host Andy Goldstein to state it's a toss up between Man City forward Foden or Chelsea star Palmer for him.
Not happy with his choices, the Frenchman replied: "No come on, you're forgetting someone."
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Darren Bent then insisted Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins was his choice, with Petit simply shaking his head in disapproval.
He said: "They have had a very good season those guys, but I will say Declan Rice, because he left his club, £100m on his shoulders, and all of a sudden he was a huge hit straight away.
"And he has been marvellous and amazing all season, and I think that [he] was probably the missing link from last season.
"I wish I could play with him in midfield because it would be a big pleasure to play alongside him."
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Petit continued: "The energy he puts into his game, the standards, every single game, the way he puts himself under pressure all the time.
"He never hides on the pitch, taking responsibility, he was born as a leader, he's got so much quality that reflects on his teammates.
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"And he's calm, he never gets nervous, he always focuses on winning balls, winning games, trying to make the difference and hurt the opponent.
"This is how you win middles [midfield battles] and this is how you win trophies."
Rice will have another chance to impress against Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
Arsenal know anything but a win could see City leapfrog them at the top should the Citizens emerge victorious away at Nottingham Forest.