Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Declan Rice, calling the midfielder's recent performances "incredible" as Arsenal gear up for a crucial Premier League clash with Fulham this Saturday.

The Gunners have a golden opportunity to stretch their lead to six points at the top of the table—though Manchester City hold two games in hand—as they chase their first league title in over two decades. At the heart of this title push is Rice, who has been a revelation since his £105 million summer move from West Ham.

The England international has been a model of consistency, rarely putting a foot wrong and earning widespread recognition as a frontrunner for the Premier League Player of the Season award. His influence on the pitch has been immense, and Arteta was quick to acknowledge it.

"If we want a total team, we need total players who are comfortable and dominant in every area of the pitch," Arteta said. "Declan is working exactly in that direction. What he's doing is incredible—the number of games he's played, the minutes he's logged, and the quality he's shown in every single match. That level of consistency is extremely rare, especially with the high demands and standards we set."

Rice has been an ever-present figure this season, featuring in all but one of Arsenal's 34 league games, contributing five goals and four assists. His relentless energy and composure have been key to Arsenal's success, and the team will need him to maintain that form as they enter the final stretch of the campaign.

Looking ahead, Arsenal's schedule includes a return to the London Stadium next week to face West Ham—Rice's former club and the side he once captained. It's a fixture that promises plenty of emotion, but for now, the focus is squarely on Fulham and the chance to take another step toward Premier League glory.