Spurs' James Maddison isn't the Premier League signing of the season so far - this Arsenal star is instead

Replacing an influential footballer can often take teams a few transfer windows and in some instances even a few seasons. In Arsenal’s case it has taken the best part of two decades, but they finally have a player capable of filling the void left by Patrick Vieira in summer signing Declan Rice.

The former West Ham man arrived at the Emirates Stadium for a club-record fee of £105m - ending an eight-year stint as a Hammer which culminated in the east London club’s first piece of silverware in 43 years as they lifted the Europa Conference League.

The fee paid for Rice raised a few eyebrows at the time despite his undeniable talent and consistency both at club level and at international level, where he has already amassed 48 appearances for the England national team. But already Rice is showing signs that he can live up to the price tag and his recent performances suggest that he can play to a level in the heart of the midfield that Arsenal fans haven’t seen since their last title triumph 20 years ago.

Arsenal have had a host of talented attacking central players during Arsene Wenger’s post invincible era including Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Santi Carzorla, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere as well as current club captain Martin Odegaard. But one thing the club has really lacked is a deep lying box to box midfielder with the consistency and aggression to drive the team to a title.

The likes of Alexander Song, Abou Diaby, Francis Coquelin, Thomas Partey and recent departure Granit Xhaka have all been deployed in the holding midfield role - but none have been able to capture the same influential status that was held by Vieira. Prior to his departure in 2005, Vieira was regarded as one of the best midfielders on the planet and remains one of the all-time greats in the Premier League era. The 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship winner arrived at Arsenal in 1996, just weeks before Arsene Wenger’s appointment. 

During his nine year stay, the Frenchman amassed 279 Premier League appearances, inherited the club’s captaincy from Tony Adams and spearheaded an Arsenal team which won three league titles and four FA Cups - whilst becoming the first unbeaten team in a top-flight season since Preston in 1889.

Vieira was renowned for his physicality, leadership and his ability to break up opposition attacks. However, he was also blessed with great technical ability and vision which enabled him to start attacking moves. His rivalry with Manchester United’s icon Roy Keane remains in Premier League folklore and the Gunners have often been accused of being technically gifted but lacking physicality and aggression since his departure, including ex-Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson in his autobiography.

While the Premier League has undoubtedly moved on in the sense of what teams can get away with, there is a feeling that Rice could bring back some of that solidity and protection that the Gunners have needed to reclaim the league title. Rice has already shown signs that he can positively influence the team and the Gunners currently boast the best defensive record in the division - conceding just 10 goals in 13 games, whilst also keeping six clean sheets (also a league best).

Rice’s influence this season was emphasised on Match of the Day, with statistics showing that Arsenal’s expected goals against has dropped from 1.1 last season to 0.8 in the first third of the season, similarly the Gunners are facing less shots on target 2.5 compared to last season’s 3.6 per game.

The England international is renowned for his defensive qualities but has also influenced the team with goals in crucial matches. Rice bagged the decisive second goal against Manchester United in the 96th minute to inspire a 3-1 victory in September, while his second goal for Arteta’s men helped inspire a comeback against Chelsea in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Defensive midfielders have been the backbone of many successful title Premier League triumphs in recent years with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Rodri, Fernandinho and Fabinho all shining in recent years - but can Rice follow in their footsteps and end Arsenal's 20 year drought?

Spurs' James Maddison, Man City's Jeremy Doku, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai are all great shouts for the Premier League's signing of the season thus far, but Rice's invaluable ability to turn Arsenal into genuine title contenders by addressing an issue troubling the side for two decades surely makes him the standout acquisition.