Declan Rice stole the show against Bournemouth, but Mikel Arteta sees the Arsenal midfielder delivering at an even higher level.
After what looked to be a disastrous start to the game, courtesy of Evanilson, it was Rice who was the difference maker for the Gunners.
His brace against Bournemouth allowed Arsenal to secure their place at the top of the table to start the new year, while also putting pressure on Manchester City.
Rice would call his two-goal performance ‘crazy’ after the game. And while Mikel Arteta was impressed with the midfielder, he doesn’t want his run of form to end here.
Name your Arsenal Man of the Match vs Bournemouth but you can’t pick Declan Rice!
Mikel Arteta sees Declan Rice ‘improving’ even more than he has
It’s hard to demand any more from Declan Rice than Arsenal got last night. But Mikel Arteta plans on doing just that.
Speaking after the game, the manager spoke glowingly about him, but added that he sees him improving in many other aspects of his game because he is a sensational player.
“Yes, for me. For me, the ones that we have are the best,” said Arteta. “Declan is constantly adding things to his game. He’s constantly adding things to his role in the team.
“I don’t see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas, and he wants to improve. He’s such a pivotal player for us.”
Arteta was far from the only one showering Arsenal’s #41 in praise. Rice was lauded by pundits for his relentless effort against the Cherries, despite his struggles in the first half.
Rice overcomes injury to earn a massive win for Arsenal
Prior to the game against Bournemouth, there were concerns about Declan Rice’s fitness, having suffered an injury against Brighton.
Given how crucial he has been to the Gunners this year, many pundits, including Gary Neville, worried about Rice’s absence impacting Arsenal.
Fill in the blank: I blame ___________________ for Declan Rice’s latest injury!
Even Arteta waited to see Rice’s final training session before bringing him into the starting lineup against Bournemouth.
And while the former West Ham star struggled in the first half, he started the second half a man on a mission.
His two goals only highlighted just how ever-present he was on the pitch, putting on a show against the Cherries.
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