Has Declan Rice outshone Caicedo this season? What the English media are saying

In partnership with

Just Arsenal News

·16 October 2025

Has Declan Rice outshone Caicedo this season? What the English media are saying

Arsenal under Mikel Arteta have shown a sharp eye for talent, and if there’s one area they’ve consistently nailed, it’s midfield recruitment.

Martin Ødegaard is phenomenal on his day. Martin Zubimendi is quietly becoming a hit. And we’ve yet to fully describe how revolutionary Declan Rice has been, transformed from a defensive midfielder into a complete, all-action engine, making his £105 million transfer look like a bargain.

OneFootball Videos

Rice vs Caicedo: the debate heats up

Speaking of Rice, a new debate has been doing the rounds: has Moisés Caicedo made a better start to the season than the Arsenal man?

While most of the discussion began on X, the mainstream media have now joined in, with the Evening Standard weighing in on who’s currently ahead. Each of their writers brought a different lens to the comparison.

Simon Collings leaned on the numbers:“Caicedo has 28 tackles to Rice’s six. He also leads in blocks, interceptions and ground duels.

“But Rice edges it with 12 chances created to Caicedo’s one. He’s also carried the ball 1,400 metres compared to Caicedo’s 837.”

Dom Smith took a literary route:“Rice’s quality on the ball is marginally better than Caicedo’s, but Paul Scholes was right, Rice can sometimes take too many touches. He’s adding goals and assists without neglecting his defensive duties, but he could still be slicker, swifter.”

Matt Verri applied logic:“A good way to think about it is: who would thrive more if they swapped shirts and roles? You’d back Rice to do Caicedo’s off-the-ball work at Chelsea. But could Caicedo replicate Rice’s impact at Arsenal, especially in the final third? Maybe not. I think Rice has the edge.”

In truth, it’s hard to call. Perhaps the fairest conclusion is that both are elite midfielders in the form of their lives.

Declan Rice (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Caicedo: the one that got away?

It’s worth remembering that had Arsenal not signed Rice, they would have gone for Caicedo.

Back in the 2023 winter window, the Gunners tabled a £70 million bid for the Ecuadorian, but Brighton turned it down. Rather than return in the summer, Arsenal seized the opportunity to sign Rice, and they have had no reason to regret it since.

Your thoughts? Who’s the best of the two for you?

Daniel O

__________________________________________________________________________________________ ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…