Arsenal FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Bukayo Saka’s set-pieces have been a major weapon for Arsenal this season (Picture: Getty)
Declan Rice revealed Bukayo Saka would’ve been fuming after he was denied another assist during Arsenal’s win over Manchester United last night.
The Premier League’s set piece kings were at it again on Wednesday evening, scoring from two second half corners as they moved back to within seven points of leaders Liverpool following a 2-0 win over United.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring nine minutes after the restart, glancing home Declan Rice’s perfectly flighted in-swinging corner.
William Saliba, inadvertently, doubled the lead with 17 minutes remaining when he diverted Thomas Partey’s header into the net after the midfielder had been located at the far post by Saka’s deeper delivery.
The England winger has made an assist-laden start to the new season and has already registered 11 in his pursuit of the record jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry for a single campaign.
Had Partey converted directly from Saka’s cross, the 23-year-old would’ve moved onto 11, just nine behind the illustrious duo he is chasing.
‘He’d have been fuming!’ Rice laughed when he learnt that he moved one assist closer to his teammate as his corner didn’t directly lead to the goal.
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‘That would have been another one closer to the record. I want him to get that, that’d be massive for him.
‘There’s no competition – as long as we keep putting good balls in and our big centre-halves keep scoring, there’s not a problem.’
Reflecting on his and Arsenal’s dead ball prowess, Rice added: ‘There were a couple tonight that were really good.
Arsenal FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Declan Rice’s corner created Jurrien Timber’s goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Man Utd
‘I think that every time I was going to take the corner, I knew it was going to be a good ball. In my head I was just thinking about putting it in the same spot and in the end with repetition, you end up scoring goals.
‘This year has been my biggest output in terms of goals and assists throughout the year, so I’m really happy with that.
‘It’s been a slow start to the season for me personally, I think off the back of a long Euros it’s taken a while for me to get going, but I think the last few weeks I’ve been feeling much better and back to my best.
‘Tonight, I just had a different energy. I just wanted to do anything for the team to win and in the second half, I would have done anything tonight to get the three points. I’m buzzing.’
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