Liverpool have been the best team in the Premier League this season, with Arsenal likely to finish just behind them in second place.
And in terms of individual campaigns, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Liverpool ace Ryan Gravenberch have both been superb for their respective clubs.
Rice has once again impressed for Arsenal, his efforts helping the Gunners reach the Champions League semi-finals and qualify for next year’s competition.
Meanwhile, Gravenberch has gone from strength to strength under Arne Slot, compared to the less prominent role he had at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has now shared which of the two midfielders he thinks has been better this season and gave his reasoning behind his decision.
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Alan Shearer picks Declan Rice over Ryan Gravenberch in wake of ‘another standout season’ for Arsenal star
Shearer has named his Premier League Team of the Season, and while several Liverpool players made the cut, Gravenberch was not one of them.
Rice got the nod in midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.
Shearer explained on the Premier League website: “Technically superb and incredibly strong in his duels, Rice has enjoyed another standout season in the Premier League, while his inspired displays took Arsenal to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
“He keeps out Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch.”
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also made the cut alongside Mac Allister.
How Declan Rice and Ryan Gravenberch compare this season
Rice and Gravenberch have both enjoyed superb seasons on an individual level.
The Arsenal ace went from strength to strength, adding goals to his repertoire – and those free kicks against Real Madrid will be forever remembered among fans and neutrals.
Meanwhile, Gravenberch has been reinvented thanks to Slot playing him in a deeper position.
“Gravenberch as a six has been a massive plus for me. He has been reinvented,” Tim Sherwood said about Gravenberch earlier this season.
| Declan Rice | Ryan Gravenberch | |||
| Statistic | Per 90 | Percentile | Per 90 | Percentile |
| Non-Penalty Goals | 0.19 | 92 | 0 | 13 |
| Shots Total | 1.54 | 83 | 0.49 | 15 |
| Assists | 0.22 | 92 | 0.09 | 58 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 3.2 | 81 | 1.83 | 31 |
| Passes Attempted | 50.74 | 58 | 53.43 | 64 |
| Pass Completion % | 84.10% | 51 | 89.30% | 88 |
| Progressive Passes | 5.9 | 76 | 5.22 | 64 |
| Progressive Carries | 2.72 | 95 | 1.95 | 82 |
| Successful Take-Ons | 0.48 | 40 | 0.98 | 81 |
| Touches (Att Pen) | 2.65 | 90 | 0.67 | 26 |
| Progressive Passes Rec | 2.89 | 75 | 1.65 | 48 |
| Tackles | 1.76 | 34 | 2.07 | 51 |
| Interceptions | 0.96 | 50 | 1.83 | 96 |
| Blocks | 0.92 | 22 | 1.11 | 46 |
| Clearances | 1.47 | 48 | 1.49 | 50 |
| Aerials Won | 1.06 | 64 | 0.7 | 41 |
“People thought he was a No. 8, he would run forward into the box.
“He can handle the ball, he can break up the game, and he has got Szoboszlai and Mac Allister either side of him, two of the best eights in there.
However, in terms of individual impact, Rice has certainly done much more to impact on his team than Gravenberch, who has been one component of a superb unit.
It’ll be exciting to see how both players fare next season as both teams go again in pursuit of glory on multiple fronts.
