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HENRY WINTER: Declan Rice is a winner, Arsenal's most important player - and could use Ballon d'Or disappointment to reach another level

Journalist Henry Winter highlights Declan Rice as Arsenal's most crucial athlete following the midfielder's 15th-place finish in the Ballon d'Or standings. The pundit argues that this lack of major global recognition should serve as motivation for Rice and his teammates as they attempt to defend their Premier League championship.

During a recent high-stakes fixture at Anfield, Rice delivered a standout performance by providing a precise assist for Kai Havertz to score. Winter compared the box-to-box midfielder to Patrick Vieira, suggesting he is the logical future captain to succeed Martin Odegaard while negotiations continue over a major new contract under manager Mikel Arteta.

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