Mikel Arteta’s side challenged for the Premier League title for most of the season but a run of just nine points from a possible 24 in the run-in opened the door for Manchester City to reclaim their crown.
Arsenal will now look to bring in reinforcements and go again next season, with Arteta believed to have identified West Ham skipper Rice as his top target to bolster the midfield.
Ferdinand is a massive fan of the England international and feels he can get even better if he makes the step up to a bigger club, though he says Arsenal must add better squad players to their ranks as well as landing marquee signings.
Asked about Rice’s potential move to north London, and whether he is the best midfielder in the Premier League, Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show: ‘He’s not yet.
‘I think the biggest problem Arsenal have got at the moment, and you look at the game yesterday, it’s squad depth. The depth of the squad isn’t there.
‘If Bukayo Saka comes out of the team, what’s coming in? If Gabriel Martinelli comes out, is there really a good enough replacement at that level? Trossard has done well, but I just think if Martin Odegaard comes out of the team, William Saliba comes out of the team defensively you capitulate. Partey started the game at right-back yesterday!
‘These things here, you need a few squad fillers that can come in and impact your first XI, because your first XI has showed that they’re very good. But then I think you need a couple to come in and improve the starting XI.
‘Declan Rice does improve your starting XI, no doubt for me, if you do go and get him.
‘But it’s whether the price is going to be a price that Arsenal agree with and that West Ham accept. I think there might be a big disparity between where both clubs are at the moment.
‘If they can close that gap and get it done, I think Declan Rice, as part of your culture driving, as having somebody that wants to improve, that can improve others, that gels squads together, he’s a real team player.
‘That’s not even talking about his ability as a footballer, I think he’s fantastic. And I think there’s levels to jump for him ability-wise.
‘He’s someone that wants to learn and is always striving to improve. And I think doing that at a club like Arsenal – whose aspirations are different to West Ham, no disrespect, they are – I think he’ll have a real opportunity to really improve himself as a player and go to another level.’
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