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Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has spoken candidly about his admiration for Arsenal’s Declan Rice, admitting the England international has left a lasting impression on him ahead of their upcoming Premier League showdown.
The 21-year-old opened up in comments reported by Voetbal Primeur, having spoken to Play Sports in the build-up to Sunderland’s trip to the Emirates Stadium this weekend. It’s a fixture that will provide a major benchmark for Sadiki, who has enjoyed a rapid rise since arriving on Wearside.
Signed from Union SG for around €17 million in the summer, Sadiki has adapted quickly to the demands of the Premier League. His performances at the Stadium of Light have seen him establish himself as a central figure in Sunderland’s midfield, earning plaudits for both his composure and work rate. That form has not gone unnoticed either, with Manchester United reportedly tracking him back in December, while analysts in Belgium have tipped him for a major move in the future.
For now, however, Sadiki’s focus remains firmly on continuing his development with Sunderland — and few tests come tougher than facing Arsenal. The Gunners currently sit at the top of the Premier League and boast what many consider to be the strongest midfield unit in the division. At the heart of that engine room is Declan Rice, widely viewed as one of the standout midfielders in England, if not Europe.
Sadiki was quick to highlight just how highly he rates the Arsenal star, particularly when it comes to the intensity and intelligence of his all-round game.
“Rice is really special to play one-on-one against,” Sadiki explained. “At first, I asked myself whether I could run as much as he does. He covers so much ground, but he’s also incredibly quick. He always makes the right decision on the ball and plays everything at the perfect tempo.
“In the Premier League, only top players are competing. It’s genuinely impressive.”
As Sunderland prepare to test themselves against the league leaders, Sadiki’s words underline both his respect for the challenge ahead and his ambition to measure himself against the very best the division has to offer.
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