BBC football pundit Troy Deeney has heaped praise on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice following his stand-out performance against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Gunners played out a 1-1 draw against the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Rice scored a crucial equaliser in the second half and also made a superb last-ditch tackle on Rasmus Hojlund.
The England international had a disappointing February with the Gunners, but he has stepped up this month and was the best player on the pitch for the London giants last weekend.
Deeney has now picked Rice in his Team of the Week. The former Watford striker said he is growing into a really talented number eight with his clever runs into the box.
He said: “People gave him stick for celebrating his equaliser against Manchester United. When he doesn’t score people say he doesn’t score enough – but when he does he gets stick for celebrating!
“He is growing into a really talented ‘number eight’. Especially as Arsenal don’t have a number nine, he runs into great pockets and got beyond the attackers for his goal.”
Rice started in an advanced midfield role against the Red Devils. He had 83 touches and completed 62 passes, with an accuracy of 91 percent. He also won 100 percent of his tackles.
The midfielder stepped up to the occasion and was brilliant defensively towards the end when the Gunners were guilty of inviting pressure on them with enforced errors.
Arsenal are unlikely to win the league anymore with a 15-point gap to Liverpool with a game in hand.
However, they have to prepare for a big Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. The Gunners are 7-1 up on aggregate after the round of 16 first leg versus PSV.
Mikel Arteta’s side should easily see off PSV tomorrow, but there may not be wholesale changes. Arsenal need momentum before the weekend’s league derby against Chelsea at home.
