Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice deserves to be one of the best midfielders in the world after Declan Rice’s double helped Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-2, but the midfielder nearly missed the game due to injury.
Rice helped Arsenal come back from a 1-0 deficit on the south coast to beat Arsenal 2-1 and 3-1, leaving the Gunners six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
It was Rice’s first Premier League double in 236 appearances in the competition, and his first for the club since he scored two free-kicks against Real Madrid last season.
Asked if Rice was one of the best midfielders in the world, Arteta said: “Yes, for me it is.”
“Declan is always adding something to his game, always adding something to his role in the team. I don’t know where he will stop, because he can still improve in many areas and he wants to improve. He is a very important player for us.”
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Watch for free: Highlights of Arsenal’s win at Bournemouth
Rice missed last weekend’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa due to swelling in his knee against Brighton, but Arteta admitted it was a questionable situation as to whether he would feature.
“Every minute was important for him to be able to play today,” the Arsenal manager said. “We didn’t know how much time (he) would be able to play, so for him to compete and play and then score two goals on top of that, I think that was outstanding and a really big message for the team.”
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Rice leads Arsenal into the lead against Bournemouth
“He was very disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried in the morning but it was far from possible.
“He wanted to train the next day but it wasn’t possible. Until the last moment I asked him how he was doing (before the Bournemouth game) and he said ‘I’ll be in’ and he showed he was going to be big.”
Rice told Sky Sports he urged his team-mates to keep the momentum going, saying: “It was huge to build on that and win against Aston Villa. If we didn’t win today, the win against Villa meant nothing.”
“At this time of year, winning games is very important and puts us in a really good position. We’ve got to keep building on that. We’re in a really good position.”
When told that it was the first time he had scored two goals in a league match, he said: “That’s a crazy number.
“I haven’t scored many goals this season, only scoring two goals, so it felt really good to score two goals today in an important win. It always feels even more special when you win and can help the team like we did today.”
Redknapp: Rice is not the captain, but he is the leader.
Rice celebrates after scoring his first goal at Vitality Stadium
Sky Sports’ pundit Jamie Redknapp said he believes Rice is Arsenal’s leader this season, despite not wearing the captain’s armband.
Before the start of the season, Arsenal legend Tony Adams believed Arteta should remove Martin Odegaard as club captain and replace him with Rice.
“The rice was huge,” Redknapp said. “The two goals are very important, but obviously that winning goal was just a run into the box and he knocked them to the ground with his energy.
“He puts pressure on people. He may not wear the captain’s armband but he is a leader.”
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Rice doubles record at Bournemouth
Merson: Big result in football – Arsenal put City under pressure
Meanwhile, Paul Merson said Arsenal’s ability to crush teams despite not playing well and their vast squad depth reminded him of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team.
“Arsenal seem to be crushing teams. They did that last week against Villa and they did that today too. They were more calm in the second half. The team is very, very strong,” he said.
“Three substitutes remind me of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United teams of old. It wasn’t vintage, but what can I say? Have fun.”
“This is a big result for football. Games like this are decisive moments and put a lot of pressure on Man City. I watched every game and if you’re an Arsenal player you’d want Man City to lose (against Chelsea). That helps.”
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Mikel Arteta praised his team’s character after Arsenal’s comeback win over Bournemouth
“I know people say, ‘worry about yourself,’ but if the other team is losing, you don’t have to worry as much.
“If you told me last August that Arsenal were seven points behind Man City and Chelsea would be playing at Man City’s home, you would have said that any day of the week.
“They have to take it one game at a time. The games go by very quickly and before you know it we’re in March with eight games left – and it’s on.”
“Man City will be thinking, ‘If we get within three points of Arsenal with seven games left, we’ll be keen to take a chance.’ If it’s six or seven (points), I don’t see it.”
Redknapp: Carabao glory could make Arsenal relax with title win
Arsenal still have four trophies in their sights this season, but the Carabao Cup will be their first chance at silver this term, and their first under Arteta since the FA Cup in 2020.
“It’s not the most important competition for them, but winning the Carabao Cup will take some pressure off,” said Redknapp, looking to end their long wait for a league title.
“Don’t get me wrong, they want the league title and if they’re lucky enough to win a double it would be unbelievable. But I think they just have to win the trophy.”
“I think it relaxes them.”
