Declan Rice upbeat about Arsenal's Premier League title chances after star showing - 'Miracles happen'
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ByOli Gent
Published 04/05/2024 at 15:41 GMT+1
Declan Rice has retained confidence in his Arsenal side's title hopes after the Gunners' 3-0 win over Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. Rice scored the third goal and assisted the second, scored by Leandro Trossard. Bukayo Saka had opened the scoring with a penalty late on in the first half. Mikel Arteta's side are four points clear at the top, but Manchester City have two games in hand.
'It was business and we had to handle it' - Rice reacts to Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth
Video credit: TNT Sports
Declan Rice has said that he was “fuming” after his earlier “sitter” in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, but the midfielder made amends by scoring his side’s final goal.
The former West Ham United captain produced a starring display at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners romped past Andoni Iraola’s Cherries thanks to a first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka, before Rice turned provider for Leandro Trossard to make it two.
The result means that Arsenal are four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, but the Citizens have two games in hand over Mikel Arteta’s side, starting with a home game against Wolves on Saturday evening.
Rice, speaking to TNT Sports afterwards, spoke of his initial frustration at his earlier “sitter”, but spoke of the joy he gets when he produces assists for his team-mates, as he did for Trossard in the second half.
“You saw in the first half, it was domination,” Rice explained. “It could have been four or five if I’m being honest. I missed a sitter and I was fuming. I couldn’t let it go. I knew that was an opportunity for me today to score and assist, and even for my goal then, I was back in my own half and I just sensed it.
“Bournemouth players were ran off their feet, and I just kept going and going, and arrived into the position that I have done quite frequently today, and a goal, assist and three points is what we needed.
“I do like assisting; it just feels good for some reason. I’m sure all the top players in the world would say that when they assist, it’s just such a good feeling, especially for me because I don’t get to do it much. I’m delighted. It was a big result because they’ve been in top form; they’re a good team and big respect to them. But we knew today was business and we had to handle it.
“This year, I can sense that we’re embracing it. Man City are a machine. They win most of their games, but we can only focus on us, and we’ve been doing that in recent weeks. We’ve had an unbelievable 2024. The record we’ve had is out of this world. Anything can happen in football; surprises and miracles happen.”
‘New glue’ Rice has ‘driven players around him’, say Cole and Keown
Rice’s performances since his £100 million arrival have left TNT Sports experts Joe Cole and Martin Keown purring.
Rice, who has played in every Premier League game for the Gunners this term, has scored eight goals and laid on eight assists for his team-mates.
Alongside his brilliance on the pitch, it’s his actions and demeanour off the field that captivates Keown and Cole.
“The humanity that he shows as a young man; he’s a great character, making all the necessary steps,” Keown said.
“He wants to progress. We’ve got him at a perfect time, at that age he’s just maturing nicely and he properly looks like an Arsenal player now. He’s talking about assists and the joy he gets from that. Before it used to be a crunching tackle or a 40-yard pass, which they won’t let him do right now. What they do now is try and link the play.
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'If anyone deserves a goal today' - Rice goal caps man of match performance to wrap up Arsenal win
Video credit: TNT Sports
“He’s growing and he’s intelligent enough to pick it up and do it and produce it on the pitch. I like that character. He g[ave] a penalty away the other day and doesn’t let it bother him. He’s in the thick of it and he’s really important to what we’re trying to achieve here at Arsenal right now.”
“Arsenal finished second last year; Mikel probably sat there and thought, ‘How can I improve this team?’,” Cole said.
“They were fantastic last year. So you have to go and buy an elite player and an elite character. He’s come into the dressing room after what he did for West Ham and he’s settled in. He’s driven players around him. He’s infectious; he’s like a throwback footballer in the sense that he gets the connection between the players, manager, and fans. He gets all that on top of his footballing ability.”
“He’s the glue,” Keown, who played 332 times for Arsenal, continued. “The new glue within the club; the driving force. He’s loving being here, and they’re still in with a shout, even though [they’re] up against Man City, but still in with a chance of being Premier League champions.
“What would that mean for the club? If you dare to dream, it could happen. Arsenal have nothing to fear. You do have to love the situation you’re in and go and grasp the moment.”
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'He's driven players around him' - Keown and Cole laud 'elite' Rice impact and evolution at Arsenal
Video credit: TNT Sports
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