Arsenal's win fuels Rice's risky Ballon d'Or call for Kane

Comments Sport Fasika Zelealem, Senior Sports Reporter, wrote at 04:00 on 11 Sep 2026. View 3 Images accompany the story and an Image: UEFA via Getty Images shows Declan Rice’s allegiance after his latest comment.

Match details

The Premier League champions claimed a 1-0 win away to Napoli on Wednesday, courtesy of Martin Odegaard’s second‑half goal. The victory marked a successful start to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign and gave the Gunners captain a winning strike at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, his fourth of the season.

Following the triumph, Rice made a questionable decision by taking a risky stance on the Ballon d’Or race, a move that could anger Arsenal supporters.

Rice's Ballon d'Or gamble

Rice, along with fellow Gunners Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, was nominated for the award after the club clinched the Premier League title last season. He admitted he would like to see Tottenham icon Harry Kane win the prize.

Rice said: "Yeah for sure (I’m proud), second year in a row nominated, it’s obviously really good, I’m really proud. Obviously I know who I want to win it, I’d love to see Harry Kane win it, so I’m wishing him all the best in that. Kane has never won the Ballon d’Or, but this is surely as good a chance as he’s going to get."

Arsenal offers Rice €400,000 per week

Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich striker, is among the favourites after scoring 61 goals to secure a second consecutive Bundesliga title.

Mikel Merino earned his first start of the season in the Napoli victory, playing 65 minutes. Gunners icon Martin Keown labelled his performance "rusty".

Merino reflected: "I thought Mikel Merino coming back into midfield missed an opportunity tonight. We missed him last season but I thought he was a little rusty on his first start for a while. But overall it’s looking good for Arsenal. The drive and determination and hunger is there."

Arsenal move to match Saka's wage as Rice nears new deal

Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to go one step further in Europe this time round, after their final defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in May. OUR ARSENAL fans will be watching closely.

Sky’s Essential TV and bundle, promoted with a Get the deal here offer, includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes for the 2026/27 season. The introductory offer saves £384 compared with the standard price.