Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League tree for Christmas.
One of the main factors behind this has been the arrival and the performances of their club-record transfer, Declan Rice.
On Saturday, he stood tall once again as Arsenal recorded a point against Liverpool at Anfield in their Premier League title tussle.
Ian Wright thinks Declan Rice was the ‘magnificent’ and the ‘main guy’ against a team that is expected to push them all the way this season.
As he told Premier League Productions on 23/12/23 at 7:25 p.m., the Arsenal legend continued, “The 24-year-old is also the reason why his former side can go to places like Anfield with ‘confidence.’”
Declan Rice’s performances are evident in the fact that Thomas Partey, who has missed a significant portion of the season due to injury, is hardly mentioned.
Before the Kop, Rice continued to be a reliable ‘machine’ with effective covering plays. According to statistics provided by Sofa Score, the English midfielder had 2 interceptions, 2 tackles and 5 clearances. Rice also launched an effective attack with 4 precise long ball passes.
Ian Wright praised Declan Rice, demonstrating how much he is enjoying it all.
“I thought he was magnificent,” said Wright.
“Anything you looked in this game when we were attacking or defending. It was Declan Rice who was the main guy.
“I think it’s a magnificent signing. I feel he is one of the main reasons why we can go to Anfield with confidence.”
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A lot will depend on what the team has learned from the previous campaign. Injuries, or lack of them, will also play their part and the mood Manchester City will be in.
If Pep Guardiola’s side does the typical during the last two months of the season, then it is probably curtains for everyone.
But, as of this moment, the momentum and ball is in Arsenal’s court.
And you would imagine, if it is to happen, then Rice is going to play a huge part because that £100 million price-tag doesn’t seem to have affected him at all.
Whilst someone like Kai Havertz has taken a while to settle in, Rice is putting in performances like he is a veteran of the team.
It’s easy to see how good Rice is when you watch the games on television, but, in person, the game is completely different.
When you can see the whole pitch at all times, you notice just how fantastic Rice’s footballing brain is.
The midfielder is always marshalling his teammates, he’s always finding space when his team is on the ball, and he’s always spotting danger and putting out fires when the opponent has the ball.
It’s like watching a different game sometimes when you’re in the stadium as opposed to watching on TV, and Rice is a player who it is so easy to appreciate when you’re seeing the whole picture.
The midfielder does so much that can go unnoticed when you just watch what’s going on on the ball, and we’d recommend that anyone who is lucky enough to see Rice play this season hones in on all of those small details that make him such an important player for Arsenal and England.