Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed that Declan Rice could be the game-changer for Arsenal in this season's Premier League title race. The north Londoners signed Rice during the summer transfer window, paying a club-record £105million to prise him away from West Ham United.

Since then, the England international has been hugely impressive, delivering some excellent big-game performances to help Mikel Arteta's side defeat the likes of Manchester City and United. Now, Neville has argued that if Rice had joined City instead of the Gunners, Arteta and Co would have had little hope of winning this season's league title.

When asked if the tough-tackling midfielder is now the main man at the Emirates Stadium, Neville told Sky Sports: “Probably. I think he is a big influence Declan Rice. That power, that drive. They’ve got brilliant players, City, anyway.

"But taking him out of Arsenal makes a huge difference, they wouldn’t be good enough. With him in it, he can be a difference player and he gives them a real chance.

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"I’m predicting City might have a bit of a stumble this season and I suspect Arsenal get it right this season.” Currently, Arsenal sit second in the league standings, two points behind league-leaders Tottenham Hotspur and three points ahead of City in third. However, City do have a game in hand against local rivals United.