Despite concerns about player fatigue at Arsenal in 2025, there’s positive news regarding Declan Rice. He’s rediscovered his top form, reminiscent of the player Arsenal invested heavily in. His impactful performance at Old Trafford was crucial in both Arsenal’s attack and defense.
Rice faced a challenging start to the season, understandable given his heavy workload in the previous season and Euro 2024. He played significant minutes, raising concerns about potential burnout.
However, since the new year, Rice’s influence has grown, particularly in attack, coinciding with Arsenal’s need for goals. He’s been dominant in recent games, demonstrating his ability to impact the game from box to box.
Manager Mikel Arteta always envisioned Rice contributing in attack. Rice’s dynamism allows him to be a threat in the opponent’s penalty area while still fulfilling his defensive duties, a capability clearly displayed at Old Trafford.
Against Manchester United, Rice played like a classic all-action midfielder, scoring a goal worthy of Paul Scholes and making tackles like Roy Keane.
His goal demonstrated excellent awareness, finding space in the box to score after understanding Manchester United’s midfield positioning. His shot was crucial in breaking the deadlock in a tight game.
Without Rice’s goal, it was unclear how Arsenal would score. They dominated possession against a deep-defending Manchester United but struggled to create clear chances, highlighting their lack of first-choice forwards.
While Leandro Trossard showed moments of quality, Arsenal’s attack lacked consistent threat. Young Ethan Nwaneri showed promise, and Martin Odegaard was heavily marked. Arsenal struggled to break down United’s defense, emphasizing Rice’s importance as a goal threat in the current setup.
Despite his strong performance, Rice remained focused on the team’s near-miss, acknowledging their late game naivety against Manchester United.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rice admitted Arsenal made mistakes in the final minutes, almost allowing Manchester United to win due to individual errors and tactical missteps.
Rice highlighted specific errors like losing second balls and failing to execute their usual passing patterns, playing into Manchester United’s hands.
Rice didn’t single out individuals, but a key moment was when Mikel Merino lost possession, presenting Rasmus Hojlund with a scoring opportunity. Goalkeeper David Raya made crucial saves, but Rice’s prior intervention was equally vital.
Rice’s crucial tackle on Hojlund prevented a potential goal. He explained his timely reaction and intervention, emphasizing the fine margin between success and failure in that moment.
Rice proved to be Arsenal’s savior at both ends of the pitch, showcasing his return to peak form when Arsenal needed him most. His current level of performance is exceptional.
