Arsenal fans had a lot to say about Declan Rice during the Gunners’ Premier League draw against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side drew for the first time this season, drawing 1-1 with Pep Guardiola’s Man City at the Emirates on matchday five.
Erling Haaland got the better of William Saliba to give the visitors the lead in the ninth minute, giving Arsenal a hill to climb for the remainder of the contest.
It was an underwhelming performance from the majority of the Arsenal squad, but Rice’s inability to impress was noticed more than most among fans.
Rice’s struggles were a talking point against Athletic Club, and when Man City visited, fans weren’t entirely convinced again.
Arsenal fans blast Declan Rice’s performance against Manchester City
Rice has been described as one of the world’s best players, but Arsenal fans aren’t liking what they’re seeing from the midfielder right now.
During the Gunners’ draw against Man City, supporters took to X to air their concern about Rice, all coming to the conclusion that the England international has struggled all season.
“Rice has stunk technically this season,” a fan said, as others agreed that the £105m signing’s struggles began long before the clash against City.
“Declan Rice has been poor this season.”
“Declan Rice’s start to the season has been interesting…”
“Declan Rice has been trash this season, it’s time to admit it.”
Two other fans described the Englishman as being ‘sloppy’ in the middle of the park, something that’s unlike Rice.
“Why are we so sloppy, especially in midfield (Rice Zubimendi)?”
“Rice has been poor today, that’s a couple of times now he’s been really sloppy on the ball.”
Though supporters were reacting to Rice’s poor showing against City, talk returned to how the midfielder’s problems have been noticeable since the season started.
“Rice has been so bad this season so far,” as another said, “Rice has been so poor again man.”
One fan went as far as to describe the 26-year-old’s performance as ‘abysmal’.
“Declan Rice has been absolutely abysmal.”
Declan Rice’s stats against Manchester City
In the former West Ham captain’s defence, there has been a mass change to Arsenal’s midfield, with the arrival of Martin Zubimendi shaking things up.
What’s concerning is that Arsenal’s midfield performed well without Rice on matchday four against Nottingham Forest, giving Arteta a task to get his star player back up to speed.
| Declan Rice vs Man City |
| 107 touches |
| 97% pass completion |
| 2 key passes |
| 2/9 crosses completed |
| 3/7 duel wins |
| 14x possession lost |
| 1x dribbled past |
As seen by his numbers, Rice was heavily involved in the game, but where he failed was in the deeper areas of midfield.
The Englishman only won 42% of his duels during the contest, as well as losing possession 14 times, which is too much for a player of his position.
Having secured a point in the dying embers, the mood from the Arsenal camp won’t be too disappointed, but Rice certainly needs to up his game.
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