Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has praised midfielder Declan Rice after Arsenal’s 5-1 Premier League win over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners made a huge statement with a convincing victory over the Cityzens on Sunday. Rice was adjudged the man of the match for providing assists for two second-half goals.
The Englishman should have had a third in the opening half. He put the ball on a plate for Kai Havertz after an inch-perfect tackle, but the German somehow missed the target.
While picking his Team of the Week, Shearer said that Rice was the ‘driving force’ in the Arsenal midfield, and the Cityzens could not cope with his aggression on the day.”
David Raya and Myles Lewis Skelly also made Shearer’s Team of the Week.
Raya was hugely influential in the opening half against City. He made two outstanding saves and a crucial intervention to deviate Josko Gvardiol’s cross away from danger.
Lewis-Skelly has gone from strength to strength in an Arsenal shirt since his debut. The 18-year-old does not look overawed by the big occasion and scored a crucial third goal on Sunday.
Arsenal will now turn their attention to the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle United tomorrow. They trail 2-0 after the first leg at home.
The Gunners go into the game with plenty of confidence, and manager Mikel Arteta will hope that his team can replicate the showing last weekend to overturn the deficit.
The London giants missed six big chances against the Magpies last month. They must be more clinical in front of goal at St. James’ Park to have any chance of making the final.
Stats from Sofascore.com.
