2 days ago
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Mikel Arteta is backing Declan Rice to win the Ballon d'Or after an 'immense' start to the season for Arsenal.
Rice put in a man-of-the-match display against Bayern Munich midweek, following on from a string of impressive displays for club and country in this campaign.
He's scored two goals and provided six assists across all competitions after being deployed in a role further up the pitch by Arteta this season.
It has helped propel the north London club to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
When asked if Rice could win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Arsenal's clash against Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta said: 'I hope so. That would mean that we have won a lot.
'Normally it goes very much related to (trophies). Again, I think he was immense the other day. I think he's been immense since the start of the season. He's an incredible and crucial player for us.'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) has backed Declan Rice (right) to win the Ballon d'Or
Rice has been key to Arsenal's fine form this season and was the star of the show against Bayern Munich
Arteta confirmed that this week's scans on Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz scans weren't fully clear, but that both players are inching 'closer and closer' to a return.
Gyokeres has been absent since the 2-0 win over Burnley earlier this month, while Havertz has not featured since the opening weekend of the season.
The Spaniard also said that the injury Leandro Trossard picked up against Bayern 'doesn't look like much' and he could be ready for Sunday.
