Former Arsenal striker, Alan Smith has suggested that Declan Rice is Arsenal’s most important player this season under manager Mikel Arteta.

Smith insisted that Rice has no replacement in Arteta’s squad, adding that it would be a big loss if he got injured.

Asked how Arsenal will cope with any injury blows in their bid to become Premier League champions this season, Smith told Metro UK: “We have seen Arsenal lose a couple of key players, haven’t we?

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

“Martin Odegaard was perhaps the main one, but [Eberechi] Eze came in and we have not really seen a drop-off.

“Declan Rice would be a big loss if he got injured because you would lose that drive in midfield and his set-piece ability which has become so important. They have not really got anybody to replace Rice.

“The defence has been superb but even at the back, [Cristhian] Mosquera has come in at times and they have got [Piero] Hincapie as well, so Rice would be the biggest loss for me.”

Ahead of the December 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, former Ghana International, Asamoah Gyan, has named three favourite countries to win the trophy.

He believes that Nigeria, Ivory Coast and the host nation, Morocco are standing out as favourites.

Gyan stated this during the CAF Awards in Morocco on Wednesday night.

READ ALSO:2025 CAF Awards: Osimhen Loses As Hakimi Is Crowned Player Of The Year

The former striker expressed disappointment over his country’s failure to qualify for the continental tournament.

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“We have a lot of giants who are going there. Ghana is out which we are very disappointed but it is okay, we qualify to the World Cup,” he said.

Gyang, who captained the Black Stars for many years, noted that Nigeria was outstanding at the last AFCON Cote d’Ivoire.

READ ALSO:Full List Of Winners At the 2025 CAF Awards

“Nigeria did well, they were close the last two years. Ivory Coast did well, we have a lot of teams,” he said.

“Morocco is also a strong contender, who are also doing well. I will say these three countries that I have mentioned, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco,” he added.

Nigeria lost the final of the last AFCON to the host nation, Ivory Coast, in a game that ended 2-1.

Here is a full list of winners across key categories at the most-talked-about football awards in Africa, CAF Awards 2025.

The highly anticipated CAF Awards 2025 has once again brought together the brightest stars in African football, recognising excellence across the continent.

This year’s ceremony, widely followed by fans across Africa and beyond, showcased some of the most outstanding talents in men’s and women’s football, as well as coaches, clubs, and national teams.

As always, the awards highlight not just individual brilliance but also the collective strides African football continues to make on the global stage.

READ ALSO:2025 CAF African Player Of the Year: Why Hakimi Beat Osimhen To Award – Ikpeba

Here are the winners of the CAF Awards 2025:

Men’s Categories

Men’s African Footballer of the Year: Achraf Hakimi

Men’s Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco)

Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)

Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)

Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids

Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U20

Men’s Inter-Club Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (Pyramids)

Men’s Referee of the Year: Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia)

READ ALSO:2025 CAF Awards: Osimhen Loses As Hakimi Is Crowned Player Of The Year

Men’s Assistant Referee of the Year: Liban Abdoulrazack (Djibouti)

Women’s Categories

Women’s African Footballer of the Year: Ghizlane Chebbak

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco)

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)

Women’s Coach of the Year: To be confirmed

Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria

Women’s Referee of the Year: Samirah Nabadda (Uganda)

Women’s Assistant Referee of the Year: Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)