Janusz Michallik has named the Arsenal star he was so surprised by in the last couple of games because of the massive mistakes he has started to make.
Last week was a tough one for the Gunners. Many expected Arsenal to come out on top in their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich.
And similarly, the Gunners would have been overwhelming favourites to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s men had been nearly flawless in the Premier League in 2024.
But everyone knows what happened in the two games.
Arsenal looked surprisingly shaky defensively in the first-half against Bayern. And there is no question that Villa were the much better side in the second-half at the weekend.
Pundit stunned by mistakes Arsenal player is making right now
Several players looked to be off the pace. And speaking on ESPN, Janusz Michallik suggested that it was the performances from Declan Rice which alarmed him most.
“I saw Declan Rice, who in the last couple of games is making massive mistakes,” he said. “In this game on the far post. If you look deeper, against Bayern Munich, it was the first or second goal where he was played behind by Leroy Sane. Goretzka got behind him. And he saw it coming by the way and he couldn’t get there.
“I watched that closely because I was so surprised.
“I don’t want to say it’s lack of effort, because he never shows that, but I think he was at his depths. He’s been wonderful, but that’s what happens, lack of depth.”
Declan Rice has had blip at worst possible time
Rice was signed to be a difference-maker in these huge games. Arsenal broke their transfer record to bring in the 25-year-old.
And he has largely repaid that fee. Chris Sutton suggested that Rice may be his Premier League player of the season. And you cannot argue with anyone who feels that way.
Rice produced some colossal performances in the early stages of the season in particular. It was remarkable how comfortable he seemed to be with the pressure of being the Gunners’ record signing.
But it would be naive to assume that there would not be a blip at some stage. Unfortunately for Arsenal, the blip came in a Champions League quarter-final and a game which handed Manchester City the initiative in the Premier League title race.
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