**Former Tottenham and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp believes Declan Rice will be pivotal to Arsenal winning against Liverpool on Thursday evening.**
The 26-year-old scored a brace last weekend, and Redknapp claims his performance could once again be key for the Gunners:
“Declan Rice has been in such great form yet again for his club, and he was the difference at the weekend against Bournemouth.”
“In these big games, I always think that midfield battle is so important, and I think he could dominate it.”
Redknapp is backing Arsenal to secure all three points
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As well as highlighting Rice’s importance to the Premier League leaders, Redknapp also said that Mikel Arteta’s side will secure a comfortable win at the Emirates:
“We’ve seen better teams than Liverpool go to Arsenal this season and really struggle. I think Arsenal win 3-1.”
Redknapp’s prediction reflects the feelings of other pundits, who believe the Gunners will secure victory. The BBC’s Chris Sutton is [**also backing them**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-news-chris-sutton-liverpool-score-prediction/).
Rice is in excellent form
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The England international has received plenty of praise in recent weeks, with Arteta even stating that he feels his No.41 is up there with the best midfielders in the world.
Rice is becoming a talismanic figure, and that has a lot to do with his all-action style. He is just as capable of finishing off a move in the final third (like he did against Bournemouth) last weekend, as he is delivering a dangerous corner or tracking back and making a goal-saving tackle or block.
Of course, other players have played big roles for Arsenal up until this point in the season. The likes of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi and Leandro Trossard also deserve a mention, but Rice is the one who seems to be dragging this team towards their first title in over 20 years.
[**Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-first-team-squad/)