Despite having 10 players on the field for the final third of the game, Declan Rice gave a player-of-the-match performance as Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace thanks to Martin Odegaard’s second-half penalty; Mikel Arteta and Jamie Carragher praise the £105 million acquisition.
Declan Rice “dominated the game,” according to Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 on Monday Night Football. Jamie Carragher also praised Rice’s “outstanding” play.
After his club-record transfer from West Ham last month, Rice has made a good impression and put on a player-of-the-match performance in the Gunners’ narrow victory at Selhurst Park.
The 24-year-old began in a single pivot for Arsenal’s trip across London after beginning on the left of a midfield diamond against Nottingham Forest the previous weekend. He was crucial as his team defended with 10 players for the final 30 minutes to secure three points and a valiant clean sheet.
The England international made several well-timed runs forward, shielded the back four, and kept possession of the ball. He also set Eddie Nketiah clear in the opening minutes, but he really should have received an assist.
After the game, Arsenal manager Arteta told Sky Sports that he thought Rice “was fantastic” when discussing his performance. He really controlled the contest. “.
He controlled the midfield and won the game, Arteta continued. He had a lot of attacking and defending sway. Because of what we anticipated from Palace and what we needed today, he played a different position than he did last week, and I thought he was excellent. “.
Declan Rice was the best player on the field, gushed Sky Sports analyst Carragher.
“I prefer him in the role he played tonight over reading between the lines, in fact. He had planned to start in that deeper position and advance from there. He is most effective there, in my opinion.
He has mentioned picking up new skills from the manager, playing more forward, and possibly playing in pockets. Though I don’t think it completely fits him, I was really impressed.
“It seemed like he was the conduit for everything. He made a few excellent 50- to 60-yard passes while in the middle of the field, receiving the ball and switching plays.
“But he also slipped Nketiah a quick pass as he was making that run. On the field, he was the best player. He was exceptional, in my opinion. “.
Last year, Arsenal struggled in the final stages as Man City caught and passed them, but Gary Neville thinks Rice could make a significant difference this year following his summer acquisition.
Neville predicted that the new signing would have an impact.
Personality, moral fiber.
With 10 games remaining, if they reach that point—if they do—he will be a significant difference for them compared to Arsenal because I don’t believe he will be intimidated by it. He has represented England in some of the most important matches, and he hasn’t let it bother him.
He has difficulties setting goals, so there are things he could improve on. He will, however, bring to Arsenal personality, character, a desire to be active, a fighting spirit, and physicality. “.
Rice: There is so much I’ve learned.
Rice stated that he is “already seeing football in a completely different way” at Arsenal in an interview with Sky Sports in July. He repeated this sentiment to the Monday Night Football panel following the game.
I was on the left side of the midfield diamond when we played a diamond against Nottingham Forest, but tonight I was the sole pivot, so I moved back one position, according to Rice.
“But in the last four weeks, I’ve learned a ton. I’m learning new ways to play the position, constantly moving around, learning how we build up, learning how we play as a team.
“I am really pushing myself because I know that to play for Arsenal, to play at the highest level, you have to be one of the best, and I want to keep growing and learning.”.
Neville: Rice isn’t quite in the same league as Keane and Vieira yet.
Rice cannot yet be compared to Premier League greats Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, according to Neville, who was speaking prior to kickoff at Selhurst Park.
Neville said, “What I think he brings to Arsenal’s midfield is power, personality, and physicality. In Chelsea, “[Michael] Essien brought that. That would be a better illustration of him in my opinion.
“Essien was a fantastic player; I thought he was outstanding, but for three or four years he was the power in that team. Personally, I wouldn’t classify Rice in the same category as Keane and Vieira.
Declan isn’t even close to that level yet, and I just think they were so unique. You want goals and assists in addition to my £105 million. However, that is how the market has changed. “.
For more updates, we are at your service all day long and all night long.
