'He can do everything' - David Raya waxes lyrical about Arsenal team-mate and claims he is one of the best in the world

Rice was instrumental in helping Arsenal knock out Real Madrid in a thrilling quarter-final tie earlier this month. His standout displays earned him man-of-the-match honours in both legs of the encounter, with the highlight being his sensational brace from free-kicks in the first leg at the Emirates.

In the return leg at the Bernabeu, Rice once again put up a stellar show oozing confidence and composure, making an undeniable case for his status among Europe’s elite. With Arsenal now preparing for their first Champions League semi-final appearance in over a decade, the English international will again be looked upon as the driving force in midfield.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Champions League semi-final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain, Raya was full of praise for Rice’s impact this season, highlighting his evolution into a top-level performer and a commanding figure in the squad.

"He’s got to be top three [midfielders] in the world,” said Raya. “He can do everything from playing as a No.6 to a No.8, defending or attacking, and of course, he can take free kicks now! He’s better this season than he was last year, and he’s still young, but he’s definitely made the step to become a top player and a leader.”

Although Arsenal secured a 2-0 win over PSG earlier in the Champions League group stage, Raya is not taking the French side lightly this time around. The Parisian giants have been in fine form during the knockout stages, eliminating both Aston Villa and Liverpool en route to the semis and sealing another Ligue 1 title with games to spare.

“I watched their match with Villa and it was a hell of a game,” said Raya. “Even if you look at it from where we played them this season, they look like a completely different team now. I think they press really well together and they play the same way from the first minute until the last."

With Arsenal on the brink of reaching a Champions League final for just the second time in their history, the form of players like Rice and the composure of Raya at the back could prove decisive. Mikel Arteta’s side has already shown they can handle Europe’s biggest nights - now, they’re just two games away from writing another historic chapter in the club’s journey.