Arsenal taught Sporting CP a footballing lesson in the Champions League by beating them 5-1.
The Gunners were head and shoulders above the Portuguese champions. They were phenomenal from the first minute of the game and deservedly came out with a big win.
The 5-1 is Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League in 21 years. It’s the biggest of Mikel Arteta’s career in this competition as well.
The goalscorers usually get all the plaudits, but one player who didn’t find the net has earned some praise too for one thing he did all game.
What Portugal’s media are saying about Declan Rice after Arsenal beat Sporting CP
Declan Rice returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup after he was left as an unused substitute against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The England international has had a difficult few weeks. Rice suffered a broken toe in the game against Newcastle United and has had his struggles since.
The Arsenal number 41 seems to have recovered now, and he started in his usual left-sided number eight position against Sporting.
He had a solid game, so much so that Sporting boss Joao Pereira admitted that he was surprised by the positions Rice took up.
Rice is usually hailed for his quality in possession and ability to win the ball back. What’s interesting is that Portuguese media outlets, after watching him play against Sporting, are all hailing his movement.
Mais Futebol wrote: “He was exemplary in the pressure and it was a huge headache for Hjulmand and Morita, who failed several times in controlling the movements of the English midfielder, who received the ball many times between lines and with space.
“At the end of the first half, he hit the corner that Gabriel Magalhaes diverted to the bottom of the net.”
Bola Na Rede said: “His role in theory is slightly far from what Rice is in practice.
“Excellent in ball transport, appearing often in support of the side runners and also in the centre of the terrain, being another player to join the lot of strikers of the team of Arteta. He assisted Gabriel in what was the last goal of the first half of the game.”
Rice’s most underrated trait as a midfielder
Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world, but he doesn’t get the credit he deserves at times.
The 25-year-old has been unbelievable in the Premier League for years now, and his performances have gone up a level since he signed for Arsenal in 2023.
All the praise Rice gets is for his defensive qualities off the ball or his ability when he’s in possession. What many people fail to notice is his movement.
The Englishman is always on the run – either to make himself available for a pass or to free up space for one of his teammates to get on the ball.
That is a very underrated trait as it makes Arsenal so much more dangerous in attack. Sporting learnt that the hard way on Tuesday, and we’re so glad that Rice’s movement is getting the plaudits he deserves.
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