'Partey couldn't lace Rodri's boots' says Arsenal fan Darren Bent

That's the view of Arsenal fan and talkSPORT Drive co-host Darren Bent, who believes even Rodri's Gunners' counterpart Thomas Partey 'couldn't lace his boots'.

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The Spaniard shone on Wednesday night as Man City demolished reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid 4-0, a result which saw Pep Guardiola's side advance to the final in Istanbul 5-1 on aggregate.

Whilst the Citizens' attack was on fire at the Etihad, so were their defenders, with Kyle Walker's challenge on Vinicius Jr epitomising just how unstoppable Man City were on the night.

But whilst the headlines focused on Bernardo Silva, who scored the opening two goals, Bent and fellow co-host Andy Goldstein took time to rave about just how good Rodri was on Drive the following day.

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Considering how much the Man City star should be worth in the transfer market, Bent said: "It looks like Declan [Rice] is going to go in the summer and listen Declan's a fantastic player.

"They're talking about him being sold for £120[million]. What's Rodri then? £150 [million]? At least!

"Do you know what it is? He can attack, he can score, he can defend and when I talk about the holding midfield role, dictating the tempo of the game, he does that really well.

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"He always picks the right pass, he's strong. He never gives the ball away. For me he's the best holding midfielder in the world. I can't think of anyone better."

A lifelong Arsenal fan, Bent proved just how much he rates Man City's midfielder by saying there's no comparison with Gunners star Partey.

Partey had a strong start to the campaign and became a key component for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta's side stood firm at the top of the Premier League and looked on track to win their first league title since 2004.

But as the Gunners' title charge collapsed, so did Partey's form, and Bent has now admitted Rodri is streets ahead of his club's midfielder.

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"At the start of the season, for my sins, I was saying it was Thomas Partey. At the start of the season, unbelievable," Bent continued.

"He can't lace Rodri's boots now!"

Rodri and the rest of the Man City team can beat Arsenal to the Premier League title this Saturday, which would mark their third in a row.