Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice deserves his place among the world’s best midfielders after his brace helped Arsenal to a 3-2 win over Bournemouth – a game the midfielder almost missed through injury.
Rice completed Arsenal’s comeback from 1-0 down on the south coast to put them 2-1 and 3-1 up as the Gunners moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
It was Rice’s first Premier League double, despite playing 236 times in the competition, and his first for the club since his two free-kicks against Real Madrid last season.
Asked if Rice is among the best midfielders in the world, Arteta replied: “Yes, for me, yes. The ones we have are the best.
“Declan is constantly adding things to his game, he’s constantly adding things to his role in the team. I don’t see where he can stop because he can still improve in many areas and he will improve. He’s such a vital player for us.”
Rice missed the 4-1 win over Aston Villa due to a swollen knee picked up in last weekend’s win over Brighton – and Arteta admitted it was touch and go whether he would make the game.
“Every hour for him was important to be available today,” said the Arsenal manager. “We didn’t know how long [he could play for]so the way he competed, played and on top of that scored two goals, I think it was excellent and a really big message for the team.
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Rice fires Arsenal into the lead against Bournemouth in the
“He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried tomorrow, he was nowhere near an opportunity.
“He wanted to train the next day, it wasn’t an option. Until the last minute I asked him [before Bournemouth]how are you He said I’m in. And he showed that he was in big time.”
Redknapp: Rice is not the captain but he is the leader
Rice celebrates after scoring his first goal at the Vitality Stadium
On expertise, Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said he believes Rice is Arsenal’s leader this season, despite not wearing the captain’s armband.
Before the season started, Arsenal legend Tony Adams felt that Arteta should remove Martin Odegaard from the club’s captaincy and replace Rice.
“Rice was massive,” said Redknapp. “Two goals, so important, of course the winning goal also comes right in the box, he runs you into the ground with his energy.
“He puts people under pressure, he may not wear the captain’s armband, but he is a leader.”
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Rice doubles his tally in Bournemouth
Merson: A big football result, Arsenal have put pressure on City
Meanwhile, Paul Merson said Arsenal’s ability to grind teams down despite not playing well and their sheer squad depth reminds him of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side.
“Arsenal seem to grind teams down. They did it against Villa last week, they did it today. Second half they were more calm. The squad is so, so strong,” he said.
“The three substitutions that came on remind me of Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd teams of yesteryear. It wasn’t vintage, but what can you say? You have to enjoy it.
“This is a big football result. Games like this are the defining moments, it puts so much pressure on Man City. I used to watch all the games, if you’re an Arsenal player you want Man City to be beaten [against Chelsea] – it helps.
“I know people say ‘worry about ourselves’ but you worry less if the other teams lose.
“Last August, if you had said that Arsenal will be seven points ahead of Man City and that Manchester City’s game is at home to Chelsea, you would take that any day of the week.
“They’ve just got to keep going game by game. The games go very quickly and before you know it you’re in March and you’re into the last eight games – and then it starts.
“Man City will be thinking, ‘if we can get within three points of Arsenal with seven games to go, we’ll fancy our chances very strongly’. If it’s six or seven [points]I can’t see it.”