Declan Rice gives Roy Keane what he wants after Arsenal star questioned by Man Utd icon
Roy Keane has delivered his verdict on Declan Rice’s kind in latest weeks – simply weeks after the ex-Manchester United man questioned his management and mentality
Roy Keane has heaped reward on Declan Rice and claimed that the Arsenal midfielder has “stepped up to the plate” within the Premier League title run-in.
Before Arsenal went up in opposition to Manchester City final month, ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane mentioned that Rice shouldn’t be displaying sufficient management for the Gunners. He added that Rice has acquired to “get a grip of people” as Mikel Arteta’s facet wobbled within the title race.
But because the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat at City, Rice has been a standout performer. He impressed in Premier League matches in opposition to Newcastle United and Fulham, in addition to each semi-final fixtures in opposition to Atletico Madrid within the Champions League, successful the Player of the Match within the second leg on Tuesday.
“Without a doubt, he has stepped up to the plate,” Keane, talking to Sky Sports, mentioned on Rice. “Obviously I have had question marks over Declan – there is no doubting his quality but in terms of his leadership skills…
“But actually over the previous few weeks, even the response after the setback with the Man City sport, he has stepped as much as one other stage and that’s what you need out of your large gamers. He has actually achieved that.”
“With all of the calls for on Arsenal, Declan is at all times obtainable, he is out there for each sport,” Keane added.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown against West Ham, the Gunners have won three and drawn one from their last four matches. It’s a run that has seen them put their Premier League title hopes right back into their own hands, while also progressing into the Champions League final.
It does feel as though the Gunners have developed a new-found team spirit to bounce back from successive top-flight losses against Bournemouth and City, and Arteta said pre-match that they need to take that into the final four matches of the season. “It’s essential, immense and wanted, as a result of what they’ll present once we get the stadium into that emotional state, to that stage of reference to the gamers, it is simply unimaginable,” the Spaniard mentioned.
“The gamers described it, they’re an important ones they usually described it like they by no means had that feeling earlier than within the stadium, they usually make them higher.”
With West Ham to come back up subsequent, the Gunners sit two factors away from second-place City with three matches to go. They face Burnley and Crystal Palace of their remaining two video games.
