In what was a commanding 5-1 victory for Arsenal over Manchester City, one player stood out despite the limelight being shared among several of his teammates: Declan Rice.
While the Gunners’ attacking prowess stole the headlines, Jamie Carragher was quick to praise Rice, whom he believes is often underrated in discussions about his contributions to the team. Despite playing in a position where more goals and assists are expected, Rice’s all-around midfield performance was key to the dominant victory.
Carragher, a Sky Sports pundit and former footballer, highlighted the versatility and intelligence Rice brings to Arsenal’s midfield. The 26-year-old, who joined from West Ham for £105million, has seamlessly integrated into the team, helping propel Arsenal’s title bid last season and providing consistency this term.
Though Arsenal currently trail Liverpool by six points in the league, Rice’s contributions have been crucial, particularly in Sunday’s triumph where he set up two of Arsenal’s five goals. Carragher suggested that while some might demand more from Rice in terms of direct goal contributions, they are overlooking his broader impact.
“Declan Rice is one of those all-around midfielders, a bit like Roy Keane,” Carragher said after the game. “You don’t remember people asking about their goals or assists back in the day; they did the dirty work, they chipped in with five or six goals a season, but it was their leadership and all-around performances that stood out. Rice, in a similar way, excels in areas that go beyond just stats. His passing range is vastly underrated, as we saw with his assist for the fifth goal, and his power, pressing, and build-up play are all essential to how Arsenal play.”
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Rice, however, remains his own harshest critic. Despite his two assists in the game, the midfielder acknowledged that he still needs to add more goals and assists to his game if he is to continue in the No. 8 position. “I need to add more goals and assists to my game,” Rice said. “I’m feeling better than I did at the start of the season, and we need to keep pushing to achieve silverware. That’s why I’m here.” This self-awareness shows Rice’s desire to continually improve and provide even more for Arsenal as they challenge for trophies this season.
Arsenal’s victory against City, which brought them back within six points of league leaders Liverpool, was a vital boost to their title hopes. Despite Liverpool’s strong form, Rice remains confident that Arsenal can close the gap. “We’ll be there, we’ll keep pushing,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and fighting for every point. “It’s up to us to hunt them down.” With a game in hand, Arsenal is determined to apply pressure and remain in the title race for the remainder of the season.
Carragher’s comments underscore the importance of Rice’s contribution to Arsenal’s midfield. While the midfielder’s job may not always be reflected in goals and assists, his influence on the team’s overall play is undeniable. As Arsenal continue their quest for silverware, Rice’s ability to break up play, dictate the tempo, and contribute with key assists will remain crucial to their success. The Gunners are fortunate to have a player who, in Carragher’s words, is “a wonderful midfield player” capable of doing it all.
