{"id":628912,"date":"2023-09-06T09:57:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T13:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=628912"},"modified":"2023-09-06T09:57:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T13:57:20","slug":"rice-becomes-arsenal-legend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2023\/09\/06\/rice-becomes-arsenal-legend\/","title":{"rendered":"How Declan Rice Has Made an Immediate Impact at Arsenal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal\u2019s record signing Declan Rice has already set about paying the North London side back with a stunning performance and match-winning moment in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United.<\/span><\/p>\n

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soe\/arsenal” size=”350×350″ style=”fraction” site_id=”lastwordonsports”]<\/p>\n

Midfield Maestro Wins Game for Gunners with Player of the Match Performance<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Declan Rice’s Instant Impact <\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Rice has hit the ground running since his big-money move to North London. His defensive solidity on his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield helped guide his new team to the win. Since then his understanding of the Arteta system has allowed him to have a real influence on matches going forward. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: \u2018I\u2019m So Excited\u2019: Arsenal Reveal Intriguing Shirt Number After \u2018World Class\u2019 Signing Announced<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time this season, the England midfielder made more passes in the opposition’s half than in his own with 35 out of his 64 successful passes being in United\u2019s half. A constant theme throughout the match was his connection with Eddie Nketiah with the former West Ham man constantly looking to find the feet of his compatriot. His manager praised his \u2018tremendous\u2019<\/span><\/a> display and touched on how the 24-year-old dominated the midfield. <\/span><\/p>\n

How Declan Rice Provides Attacking Threat<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Nobody could doubt Rice’s defensive capabilities, but with the ever-present class of Thomas Partey operating in the holding midfield role for the Gunners for the majority of last season, many were left puzzled<\/span><\/a> about where Rice would fit into this Arsenal system. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: \u2018I Expect\u2019: Mikel Arteta Wants to Retain \u2018Outstanding\u2019 Star for Arsenal Amid Interest from Saudi Clubs<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

However, Arteta could not have had a clearer plan for his star signing with the Englishman operating in the holding midfield role alongside an inverted fullback.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83e\udd41 Introducing our POTM from yesterday's dramatic victory…<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf5a Declan Rice pic.twitter.com\/koY5bOuWOG<\/a><\/p>\n

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n