Decoding Declan Rice: Arteta and Carragher in Awe of Arsenal's Exceptional Midfielder After Spectacular Crystal Palace Triumph

Mikel Arteta praised Declan Rice for his dominating performance in Arsenal's 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football. Jamie Carragher also hailed the outstanding performance of the £105m midfielder. Rice, who recently joined Arsenal from West Ham in a club-record transfer, left a positive impact with his player-of-the-match display at Selhurst Park.

Starting off on the left of a midfield diamond in their previous match against Nottingham Forest, the 24-year-old switched to a single pivot position during Arsenal's recent trip across London. His contribution was instrumental as his team held strong with 10 players for the last 30 minutes, resulting in a valuable three points and a hard-earned clean sheet.

In addition to providing defensive cover and maintaining possession, the talented English player displayed his attacking prowess through a series of well-timed forward runs. He was unfortunate not to register an assist in the first half, despite setting up Eddie Nketiah for a clear scoring opportunity.

Speaking about Rice's performance after the game, Arsenal manager Arteta praised his dominance and commended his ability to adapt to new tasks. We pundit Carragher, on the other hand, declared Rice as the standout player on the pitch.

I prefer him in the role he fulfilled tonight, rather than intermittently appearing between the lines. His initial position was to commence deeper and progress forward from there. I believe that is where he excels.

He has mentioned wanting to acquire knowledge from the manager and play in more advanced positions, perhaps in specific areas. I don't believe it is an ideal fit for him, but I genuinely admired what I witnessed.

He seemed to be in control of everything. Positioned at the heart of the field, he effortlessly received and distributed the ball, executing remarkable long passes spanning 50 to 60 yards.

Moreover, there was a moment when he sprinted forward and skillfully delivered a precise pass to Nketiah. Undoubtedly, he shone as the most exceptional player on the field. I was truly impressed by his performance.

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Rice: I have learned so much

Talking exclusively to We in July, Rice further elaborated on how his time at Arsenal has allowed him to view the game of football from a completely different perspective. He reiterated this point to the Monday Night Football panel after the match.

"During the Nottingham Forest match, we utilized a diamond formation in the midfield. I was positioned on the left side of the diamond. However, tonight I played as the sole pivot, meaning I moved back one position," explained Rice.

"Over the past four weeks, I have gained an extensive amount of knowledge. I am continuously learning various strategies for playing my position, always on the move. It has been a valuable experience understanding our build-up play and team dynamics."

Nev: Rice not yet in same category as Keane and Vieira

According to Neville, what sets him apart in Arsenal's midfield is his strength, character, and physical presence. He believes that Essien demonstrated these qualities during his time at Chelsea, making him a more fitting comparison for Rice. While Essien was exceptional, Neville does not believe Rice belongs in the same category as Keane and Vieira.

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