Former Wimbledon midfielder Robbie Earle believes that Arsenal can do one thing this season that they couldn’t before because of one player.
Arsenal had to be patient against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side created a glut of goalscoring opportunities in the first half. However, they were unable to find the back of the net, as a combination of poor finishing and desperate last-ditch defending by the Cherries thwarted the hosts.
However, the Gunners kept going and were finally able to break the deadlock just before half-time. After Kai Havertz was awarded a controversial penalty, Bukayo Saka coolly stepped up and rolled the ball home.
Arsenal were able to add gloss to the scoreline in the second half, as Leandro Trossard doubled their advantage before Declan Rice added a third late on.
Declan Rice lauded for taking Arsenal to next level
Rice has now been hailed for his mentality in this match. Not only did he show great determination to make a lung-busting run from deep in the 97th minute in order to get his goal, but he also consistently drove his team forward in the first half whilst they were being frustrated.
Robbie Earle was impressed with the midfielder’s mentality. Speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast, he said: “They were missing chances, but it didn’t look like it affected them. I think last year they’d have got a bit uptight…I always thought they were going to win the game. That’s the maturity that the team have got, that Declan Rice brings…This club is moving on and being developed.”
The 25-year-old is certainly a natural leader. He wore the armband in his West Ham United days, and Arteta has tipped Rice to be a future Arsenal captain.
Mikel Arteta must now build on platform Declan Rice helped construct
Arsenal have shown a huge amount of resilience this season, and will need to lean on that in both of their remaining matches as the title race hurtles towards its conclusion. Whilst they are dependant upon Manchester City to drop points in order to stand any chance of being crowned champions, Arsenal must also win their final two games, and that pressure will test their mettle.
Even if the Gunners don’t win the Premier League title this time around, they are clearly a club heading in the right direction. The North London outfit has now mounted title challenges in consecutive seasons, and additions like that of Rice have added steel to the squad.
Arteta must now build on that impressive platform again this summer.