Declan Rice ‘has to be leader’ at title-chasing Arsenal, says Wayne Rooney

Declan Rice “has to be the leader” for title-chasing Arsenal, Wayne Rooney has said.

The 24-year-old has completed a £105m switch from West Ham to the Emirates Stadium, immediately jetting off to Washington DC with his new team-mates where they will kick-off their US pre-season tour against the Major League Soccer All-Stars.

The DC United boss is managing the hosts and believes Mikel Arteta’s men have secured a vital figure.

“I saw Frank Lampard saying he felt Declan could be the Chelsea captain for the next 10 years if he went there,” Rooney said.