Ian Wright has praised one Arsenal player for his most latest performance for his national team at Euro 2024.
It was a dramatic weekend of tournament football in Germany as current holders Italy crashed out in pitiful fashion at the hands of Switzerland, whilst England needed an extra-time winner to progress against Slovakia.
Bukayo Saka was one of the best players on show for the Three Lions on the night, as Jude Bellingham’s 96th-minute equaliser gave England the time needed to find a winner against Slovakia and to book a quarter-final tie with Switzerland.
And Wright was impressed with what he saw from one Arsenal player this weekend.
Declan Rice hailed after dramatic England win vs Slovakia
Speaking on Wrighty’s House, the Arsenal legend shared how blown away he was by Declan Rice’s performance for England against Slovakia, with the 25-year-old controlling everything from central midfield.
Indeed, Rice played the entire 120 minutes for England was unfazed throughout the entire match, and Arsenal fans were also in awe with the former West Ham man, who showed once again why he is one of the best players on the planet and an undroppable Three Lion.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Declan Rice from his girlfriend to height
Wright said on Rice’s performance against Slovakia: “The man had an unbelievable game, an unbelievable game where, obviously, Jude and Harry Kane are going to get the plaudits, but when you look at the numbers and the stats, that is how you’re able to win that game.
“Of course, Jude’s overhead kick is spectacular, but these kind of numbers would have disappeared into nothing if Jude doesn’t come up with his match-winning moment, so Declan’s got to get flowers for this game.”
Rice showed just how brilliant he can be for England last night
Gareth Southgate might be reluctant to give Rice the freedom the midfielder usually enjoys at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, yet the 25-year-old showed just how brilliant he can still be when playing in a deeper role.
The former West Ham captain was everywhere for England against Slovakia, with Rice cleaning up everything and pushing the ball forward in an attempt to salvage anything for the Three Lions at 1-0 down.
And with England now heading to the quarter-finals, Rice will be fired up for Saturday’s encounter with Switzerland, where the Arsenal man will be hopeful of making it to the final four of Euro 2024.
Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella whilst Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews for England so far, Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
There was some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise training camp with Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on at the Copa America with Brazil.