Mikel Arteta mentioned Declan Rice “dominated the sport” throughout Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday Evening Soccer, whereas Jamie Carragher described the £105m midfielder’s efficiency as “excellent”.
Rice has made a optimistic impression following his club-record transfer from West Ham final month and produced a player-of-the-match show within the Gunners’ slim victory at Selhurst Park.
After beginning on the left of a midfield diamond in opposition to Nottingham Forest final weekend, the 24-year-old started in a single pivot for Arsenal’s journey throughout London and was key as his facet defended with 10 gamers for the ultimate half-hour to safe three factors and a hard-fought clear sheet.
In addition to shielding the again 4 and retaining possession, the England worldwide made a number of well-timed runs ahead and will have had a first-half help after setting Eddie Nketiah clear.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Arsenal’s win in opposition to Crystal Palace within the Premier League
Chatting with Sky Sports activities about Rice’s efficiency after the sport, Arsenal boss Arteta mentioned: “I believed he was improbable. He actually dominated the sport. To ask him to do one thing new, I believed he was improbable.”
Sky Sports activities pundit Carragher added: “Declan Rice was the very best participant on the pitch.
“I truly like him within the position he performed tonight greater than popping up between the strains. His preliminary place was to start out in that deeper place and drive ahead from it. I feel that’s the place he’s at his finest.
“He has talked about studying from the supervisor, taking part in additional ahead, possibly taking part in in pockets. I do not suppose it totally fits him however I actually preferred what I noticed.
“It felt like every little thing went by means of him. He was within the centre of the pitch, he was getting the ball, he was switching play – a few nice 50 to 60-yard passes.
“But in addition when he made that run, he slipped somewhat move to Nketiah. He was the very best participant on the pitch. I believed he was excellent.”
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Rice needed to readjust a contact lens within the first half at Selhurst Park nevertheless it didn’t have an effect on his efficiency
Rice: I’ve discovered a lot
Speaking solely to Sky Sports activities in July, Rice defined how he’s “already seeing soccer in a very completely different method” at Arsenal and reiterated that assertion to the Monday Evening Soccer panel after the match.
“Towards Nottingham Forest we performed a diamond in midfield and I used to be on the left of the diamond and tonight I used to be the one pivot so I dropped again one spot,” Rice mentioned.
“However within the final 4 weeks I’ve discovered a lot, I’m studying alternative ways of taking part in the place, always on the transfer, studying how we construct up, studying how we play as a group.
“I’m actually attempting to check myself as a result of to play for Arsenal, to play on the high stage, it is advisable be the most effective and I’m desirous to continue learning and hold flourishing.”
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Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta was delighted together with his facet’s tense 1-0 win at Selhurst Park and described Rice’s efficiency as ‘improbable’
Nev: Rice not but in identical class as Keane and Vieira
Talking earlier than kick-off at Selhurst Park, Gary Neville mentioned Rice can not but be in comparison with Premier League legends Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.
“What I feel he brings to Arsenal’s midfield is energy, persona and physicality,” Neville mentioned. “[Michael] Essien introduced that to Chelsea. That, for me, can be a greater instance of what I see him as.
“Essien was a superb participant, I believed he was excellent, however he was the ability in there for 3 or 4 years. Personally, I would not put Rice within the class of Keane and Vieira.
“I simply suppose they have been so particular and Declan is not wherever close to that stage but. For me, £105m, you need objectives and assists too. However that is the way in which the market has shifted.”
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