Declan Rice Hailed as 'Really Special' Following Arsenal's Commanding Victory
Arsenal's midfield maestro Declan Rice has been singled out for effusive praise after delivering another masterful performance in the Gunners' comprehensive 3-0 home win against Sunderland. The victory, secured through a first-half strike from Martin Zubimendi and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres, marks Arsenal's fourth consecutive win across all competitions, solidifying their formidable form.
Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead with Dominant Display
Mikel Arteta's side now sit a commanding nine points clear at the summit of the Premier League table, applying significant pressure on rivals Manchester City, who face a crucial fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. This result represents a return to peak performance for Arsenal, who have bounced back emphatically after a minor dip in January that saw them accumulate only five points from a possible twelve in league play.
The team's display was characterised by control and precision, with Rice at the heart of their midfield dominance. The English international nearly capped his performance with a spectacular goal in the first half, showcasing his all-round contribution alongside the influential Zubimendi.
Sunderland Midfielder Noah Sadiki Lauds Rice's Exceptional Qualities
Speaking to Voetbal Primeur after the match, Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki was unreserved in his admiration for Rice, describing the Arsenal star as 'really special to play against one against one'. Sadiki elaborated on the challenges of facing such a dynamic opponent, noting, 'In the beginning I wondered: do I run as much as he does? He runs a lot, but he also runs fast. He always chooses the right pass, he does everything at the right pace, you see? In the Premier League only good players play, really impressive.'
Paul Merson Joins the Chorus of Acclaim for Rice's Consistency
Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson echoed these sentiments, offering glowing praise for Rice's display. Merson emphasised the player's remarkable consistency, stating, 'I thought Declan Rice was outstanding. When people go, 'oh I can't play this many games', he is week in, week out. Every single week, same performances – absolutely outstanding.'
Arteta Pleased with Defensive Solidity but Remains Focused on the Task Ahead
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with his team's defensive efforts, which yielded yet another clean sheet. However, he was cautious about reading too much into the widening lead at the top of the table. Arteta commented post-match, 'Very, very happy obviously with the win, with big parts of the performance, with the clean sheet as well, because it's a really tough opponent. They're really good at what they do, really good at breaking play, playing to the last line, breaking your press, holding the ball, and it's very difficult to get sequences with threat and momentum consecutively.'
He added, 'We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want. So, there's no focus on that, that's something else. We've done our job now, we've had what we have to do, so I assess that, try to improve it and get ready for Brentford.' This measured approach underscores Arteta's determination to maintain focus as Arsenal continue their pursuit of Premier League glory.
