Arsenal were held to a second consecutive draw in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, as Brentford frustrated Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates.
The Gunners looked as though they’d secure all three points after Thomas Partey put them in front, following excellent work from Declan Rice.
However, Yoane Wissa had other ideas, slamming past David Raya from close range with just 16 minutes remaining.
The result leaves the North London outfit ten points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
- READ MORE: Why Mikel Arteta was fuming on the touchline with one star after what he did in Arsenal v Brentford
Mikel Arteta hints at a new role for Declan Rice following Arsenal v Brentford
Rice scored two spectacular free-kicks against Real Madrid in midweek, and the Englishman looked buoyed by these goals against the Bees.
The energetic midfielder was at the heart of most good things Arsenal did on Saturday, driving the Gunners forward in certain areas and taking up aggressive positions inside the Brentford box.
Deployed in an unusually advanced position, Mikel Arteta was asked in his press conference after the game whether this is something we’ll see moving forward and if the player was riding high from an offensive standpoint due to his heroics against Madrid.
“Yes, for sure,” the Arsenal boss said.
“Every time you score a goal, after you have the feeling that you can score again. I think he had an unbelievable action on the goal we scored today, carrying the ball into open space until the right moment to release Thomas for a one-on-one situation with the keeper.
“I think he had a really strong performance again.”
Rice has flirted with the idea of being Arsenal’s Frank Lampard, and he’s certainly taking on more responsibility in final third than he used to.
Arteta is clearly keen on using the player’s ridiculous physicality and ability to strike the ball well higher up the pitch, and it’s starting to pay dividends.
Declan Rice’s statistics vs Brentford
Taken off after 75 minutes, Rice was protected by Arteta ahead of the Real Madrid clash.
The midfielder ran his socks off whilst on the pitch, covering ground at an impressive rate, whilst progressing the ball effectively.
| Rice’s Statistics vs Brentford | |
| Minutes Played | 75 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 22/27 (81%) |
| Shots | 1 |
| Key Passes | 2 |
| Passes into Final Third | 8 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
Creating two chances for his teammates, Rice completed eight passes into the final third, with his ball progression pivotal to the Gunners.
He also recovered the ball excellently on numerous occasions, keeping Arsenal secure defensively.
Arteta will expect an even better performance from his sensational midfield maestro on Wednesday night against Los Blancos.
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