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Posted By Udokabestluv On February 21st, 2026

TalkSPORT host, Adrian Durham has advised Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice to consider leaving the club if he is not offered a new contract like teammate, Bukayo Saka.

Durham believes Rice has been disrespected as Arsenal handed Saka a new contract recently to make the winger the club’s highest-paid player on wages in excess of £300,000 a week.

Saka came through Arsenal’s academy and has been a key figure in the team under Mikel Arteta, while Rice is currently in his third season with the Gunners following his £105 million move from West Ham United.

“Rice gives everything every game,” Durham said on the talkSPORT Daily podcast.

“He’s always available, he covers every blade of grass, he never rolls around pretending to be injured, he’s the heartbeat of his team.

“He is more of a captain than [Martin] Odegaard will ever be. And yet, he’s just heard the news that Saka has become the highest-paid player at the football club.

“He must be fuming. In one stroke, Declan Rice’s commitment and quality have been totally disrespected. So, I see giving Saka a fat, new contract as an insult to Declan Rice.

“Making [Saka] the highest paid player just absolutely sticks the knife in, and if I were Declan Rice’s agent, I’m pinning Arteta up against the wall, asking what’s going on.

“I’m advising him to demand a new, improved contract, and if Arsenal can’t deliver that, force a move out of the club in the summer and go somewhere that is going to respect Declan Rice’s talents.”