Mikel Arteta has enjoyed several of his first-team stars at Arsenal performing exceptionally well over the international break.
The Gunners suffered an early blow to their Premier League title aspirations last time out following the 1-0 loss against Liverpool courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick.
However, Mikel Merino produced a “historic” display for Spain as he netted a hat-trick in the 6-0 win against Turkey.
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Noni Madueke has impressed for England, deputising for the Three Lions while his club teammate, Bukayo Saka, nurses a hamstring injury.
Noni Madueke of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between England and Andorra at Villa Park.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
And now Declan Rice is the latest Arsenal star to receive his flowers over the international break after his performance for England in the 5-0 win against Serbia on Tuesday.
Arsenal star Declan Rice makes England a better team
When discussing England’s victory on The Rest Is Football podcast, co-hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards shared the same verdict on Rice’s display.
Lineker said: “Declan Rice and Rogers, I thought, were terrific and Anderson. In fact, the midfield three, I thought, were all really excellent.”
Richards replied: “The delivery is just ridiculous. He puts it on a six plus every time. If it’s not for Arsenal, it’s for England. He knows exactly what to do with it. He puts a little bit of bend, a little bit of swerve, and he’s got that lofty one as well. Swaz.
“He’s got everything in his armory. I just thought watching Rice tonight, and even though he should have scored a couple of goals tonight, it’s the way he arrives in the box, he always knows where to be, the timing of his run. Him as a number eight. Yeah, England are a way better team.”
The 26-year-old has been influential to Arsenal’s success since he completed a blockbuster £100 million move to North London via West Ham United in 2023 – Rice was named in the PFA Team of the Season for his efforts last season.
He, of course, produced two incredible free-kick goals to help Arsenal knock out Real Madrid in the Champions League last term. And after Rice produced a dominant performance against Leeds United, it has become apparent he is showing no signs of slowing down.
Although Rice was wasteful in front of goal for England, he was one of the most productive players on the pitch for Thomas Tuchel, ending his evening with two assists to his name.
How did Declan Rice fare against Serbia?
It is safe to say that Rice dictated everything that England did against Serbia as he produced a true all-round midfield display in the World Cup qualifier.
Similarly to how he is influential for Arsenal, he was not only exceptional in the business end of the pitch but also defensively; the only aspect of his game that eluded him was scoring a goal.
Declan Rice vs Serbia Total
Touches 62
Shots 7
Assists 2
Pass accuracy 96%
Chances created 3
xG + xA 0.97
Cross accuracy 50%
Long ball accuracy 100%
Ground Duels won 100%
Aerial Duels won 50%
Statistics provided by FBref.
Indeed, England were always expected to dominate a one-sided contest against Serbia, but for Rice to produce the numbers that he did is a testament to how far he has developed as a player at the Emirates.
Rice will be pivotal for Arsenal’s success this season, no doubt, and Arteta will be expecting his midfield dynamo to continue his scintillating displays when the club football schedule resumes.