Journalist ‘wowed’ by star who’s the reason Arsenal are in title race with Man City

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Journalist James McNicholas has heaped praise on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.

Declan Rice made another huge contribution in an Arsenal shirt against Luton Town on Tuesday evening.

Whilst the 24-year-old perhaps wasn’t at his absolute best throughout the match, he was still able to make the difference when it mattered most. In the 97th minute, after just six had initially been added on, with the Gunners a heartbeat away from dropping vital points, Martin Odegaard swung a final cross into the Luton penalty area, where Rice rose highest to guide the ball into the back of the net.

With the final touch of a chaotic match, Rice clinched a 4-3 victory to extend the north London club’s lead at the top of the Premier League table.

It is not the first time that Rice has played such a role right at the death for Arsenal. Earlier this season, he scored another late winner, on that occasion against Manchester United.

It is fair to say that Rice has quickly established himself as a fan favourite at Arsenal, with plenty of supporters insisting that he has already lived up to his price tag. Given the Gunners paid a club-record fee of £105 million for him in the recent summer transfer window, this is quite the compliment to pay the former West Ham United man.

Arsenal relieved to have Declan Rice in their ranks

James McNicholas is convinced that Rice has proven himself to be “worth every penny so far.” Speaking on his On The Whistle YouTube video, the reporter said, “Declan Rice, wow. He did it against Manchester United, he’s done it again today. Worth every penny so far…I just keep thinking, ‘what if [Manchester] City had got him?’ There wouldn’t be a title race, I don’t think. As it stands, there is, and Arsenal are in one.”

Manchester City did try to hijack Arsenal’s efforts to sign Rice in the summer. The reigning champions had a £90 million bid for the player rejected before the Gunners came back to the table and sealed a deal.

Manchester City (and indeed Liverpool) fans will have been gutted to see Arsenal find a way to win so late on at Kenilworth Road. In what is set to be a tight title race, every point matters. The pressure is now back on the chasing pack to keep up with the pace that Mikel Arteta’s side are currently setting. 

Arsenal’s focus will now be fully-fixed on their upcoming clash with Aston Villa. They will certainly have to be far more secure at the back against Unai Emery’s high-flying side. The Gunners will be on a high heading into that match, though, boosted by their dramatic exploits against Luton.