Jamie Carragher names the 'most influential' player in the Premier League who is still hugely 'underrated'

Jamie Carragher has named the most influential player in the Premier League, and it might not be who you think it is.

This season's title race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, with Arsenal, Liverpool, surprise package Aston Villa and reigning champions Manchester City battling it out in the top four.

It was the Gunners that pushed City all the way last season, but ultimately they were unable to prevent Pep Guardiola's side from winning a historic treble.

Mikel Arteta's men regrouped over the summer, and after strengthening in the transfer market, are now sitting top of the pile once again.

One of the new stars at the Emirates Stadium is Declan Rice, who joined from West Ham in a British record £105m move.

The England midfielder has hit the ground running in North London and scored a crucial late winner for Arsenal on Tuesday night as they came from behind to beat Luton 4-3 at Kenilworth Road.

For Carragher's money, Rice is the best player in the country right now.

"From the moment he joined Arsenal, you knew that Rice would be brilliant," Carragher wrote in the Telegraph.

"He has been probably the most influential player in the Premier League this season and, every time I watch him, he reminds me of [Roy] Keane. He has that same presence, and he has a passing ability that is incredibly underrated.

"When you think of the great midfielders of the past, they all had an aura on the pitch. Keane had it, and so did players like Graeme Souness and Bryan Robson. I see those same qualities in Rice, who could be the difference for Arsenal this season as they challenge for the title.

Declan Rice of Arsenal.

"There is no bigger compliment I can give to Rice than this: I would rather have him in my team than Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder has been arguably the best player in the Treble-winning side, alongside Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva, and he scored the winner in the Champions League final. He is a brilliant player, but I would still rather have Rice.

"Not many footballers have the ability and personality required to go into a big club and instantly become one of the top men in the squad. Jude Bellingham has done it at Real Madrid and Rice has done the same at Arsenal. It already feels like he has been an Arsenal player for five years.

"The most underrated attribute in football is availability and Rice never seems to miss a game."

If Arsenal are to emerge from a tough run of fixtures unscathed - Aston Villa and Liverpool away and Brighton at home - then Rice will have to continue performing at his very best.