Arsenal’s Declan Rice believes he’s finally back to his best on the pitch after taking a while to get up to speed in the 2024/25 campaign.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Declan Rice provided his fifth goal contribution of the season for Arsenal on Wednesday, with his corner finding the net via a glancing header by Jurrien Timber.
Rice’s corner deliveries caused a lot of problems for opponents last season, but Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal’s main creator from set pieces this campaign.
Yet Rice really stepped up in midweek, and Arsenal could and perhaps should have scored more than one goal from his corners.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Speaking afterwards, Rice admitted he was feeling good on the day, and he always believed he could cause problems.
“There were a couple tonight that were really good,” Rice said. “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.”
Reflecting on the season so far, Rice conceded that he hasn’t always shown his best form, but he feels he’s getting back to the right standard now.
“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,” the midfielder added.
“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.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a save during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Arsenal certainly reaped the rewards of Rice’s performance on Wednesday, both in terms of Timber’s opening goal and in the way he consistently turned over possession in the Gunners’ favour.
Mikel Arteta’s team have a very busy couple of months coming up, especially if they can get a cup win against Crystal Palace to set up a two-legged League Cup semi-final tie.
They’ll need Rice on top of his game if they’re going to come out of this period with their trophy hopes still intact.
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