Arsenal will head into the final Premier League matchday of 2025 at the top of the table after beating Brighton 2-1 with Declan Rice shining in an unfamiliar right-back role
Declan Rice celebrates an Arsenal goal
Declan Rice was influential in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brighton(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)
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Mikel Arteta has revealed that Declan Rice had no hesitation in agreeing to fill in at right-back on less than 48 hours notice for Arsenal's huge win over Brighton.
Arsenal's first-choice right-back, Jurrien Timber, missed the game, as did left-back Riccardo Calafiori after the Italian picked up an issue in the warm-up. And with Arsenal missing a number of players through injury it was Rice who stepped into Timber's shoes for a must-win game in the title race.
The England star, who has grown into one of Arsenal's most influential players under Arteta, excelled in his unfamiliar role and was singled out for praise for his manager after the game, which ended 2-1.
"He has never played in that position. I asked him 48 hours ago and he said yes straight away," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "When we have difficulties the players are ready to step in."
In his post-match press conference, Arteta was asked if the injury situation had united the group, he again singled out Rice, adding: "Yes, because as well there are injuries with Jurrien, he landed awkwardly and there's something with Richy, it was something as well, very, very strange and yeah, but you speak to Declan and tell him he needs to play there as a right [back], and he said, ‘Okay, I'm up for a challenge, I'm going to do my best.’ And the attitude is great to witness."
Declan Rice filled in at right-back for Arsenal vs Brighton
Rice filled superbly in at right-back for Arsenal in their 2-1 win over Brighton
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The defensive shackles of Rice's one-time role at the back didn't stop him from contributing at the other end with his teasing corner inadvertently diverted into the Brighton goal by the unfortunate Georginio Rutter to seal all three points for Arsenal.
And while Timber and Calafiori were missing, there was some good news on the injury front for Arteta and Co with the return of Gabriel, who has been missing since November after hurting himself on international duty with Brazil.
The influential centre-back has come back ahead of schedule and came on in the second half to help Arsenal snuff out a Brighton fightback after Diego Gomez struck to halve the deficit on the hour mark.
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