Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg - Source: Getty
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg (Image Source: Getty)
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged Declan Rice to be more "nasty" on the pitch. He said that he expects more from the Englishman and wants him to be a leader in the team.
The Gunners lost 3-2 against Manchester United at the Emirates in the Premier League on Sunday. With the defeat, their lead atop the standings over Manchester City was cut to four points. It also marked the third consecutive league game in which they have dropped points.
After the game, Emmanuel Petit said on talkSPORT:
“For me, I’m expecting more from him [Declan Rice]. The likes of [William] Saliba, Gabriel as well. Those guys have been amazing for two or three seasons now. They are leaders on the pitch, but I want them to be nasty. I don’t want him to be ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ anymore."
"Declan Rice is such a decent guy, such a sweet guy on and off the pitch. If you are listening Declan, I want you to be nasty on the pitch. I want you to bully the opponents. I want you to be nasty with your teammates as well. I want those guys to show they are thinking about being champions and I want them to act like champions,” he added.
Referencing some Arsenal and Manchester United legends, Petit added:
“It’s missing something in your character and personality on the pitch. I want him to be like Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams. I want the opponent to fear you on the pitch every time you have to fight for the ball.”
Rice has been a key player for Arsenal since arriving from West Ham United in 2023. He's made 135 appearances for them and contributed 20 goals and provided 28 assists.
Arsenal drop points for 3rd consecutive game in Premier League after defeat against Manchester United
The Gunners have three wins in their last six games across competitions, but all of them have come in cup competitions. In the Premier League, they played out two goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest before losing 3-2 against Manchester United on Sunday.
Lisandro Martinez's 27th-minute own goal gave Arsenal the lead. Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on Martin Zubimendi's error to equalize in the 37th minute. Patrick Dorgu then scored a brilliant goal in the 50th minute, before Mikel Merino restored parity from a corner in the 84th minute. Matheus Cunha then scored the winner for Manchester United three minutes later.
Arsenal will next host Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, January 28. They will then face Leeds United away in the Premier League on January 31. Post that, they will host Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-finals second leg on February 3, having won the first leg 3-2.