Recent Arsenal news following their victory over Bournemouth, including a poignant message from Bukayo Saka to Declan Rice
Declan Rice enjoyed a superb afternoon alongside Bukayo Saka against AFC Bournemouth (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Declan Rice has surely given Arsenal an advantage in the attacking and defensive thirds. Last summer, the Gunners defeated Manchester City in a fierce transfer battle to sign him from West Ham, giving up £105 million in the process.
Concerns regarding the triple-figure price tag were common after the incredible transfer broke the record for the most English players ever transferred—a record previously held by Jack Grealish. Nevertheless, Arsenal believed that they had paid a fair price for a player who would advance them, and he has done just that.
With Rice frequently used in more advanced midfield positions, Arsenal has made full use of the England international’s ability to disrupt play and advance the ball while in possession. As a result, Rice has helped score 17 goals this season, the most recent of which was scored this past weekend.
After Bukayo Saka’s first goal, Rice made the pass that let Leandro Trossard double Arsenal’s lead. Deep into added time, Rice then joined in on the action himself, unleashing a powerful close-range blow that went straight through Mark Travers’s legs.
Rice was named player of the match, which makes sense, before he celebrated the win on social media. He posted on Instagram, saying, “Good day at the office.” Saka replied, adding a musical note emoji and saying, “He’s only half price.”
After what the midfielder did after scoring, many Arsenal supporters probably agreed with Saka’s assessment that Rice is worth closer to £200 million, considering how much the player has improved Mikel Arteta’s team.
Before reposting the photo on his Instagram story, Rice seemed to absorb every emotion from the fans at Emirates Stadium as he wheeled away in celebration. Rice has now scored seven goals in the Premier League this season. When asked if Arteta was surprised by Rice’s efforts in front of goal, he replied in the negative.
Indeed. The manager of Arsenal stated, “We believed that was going to be closely tied to the spaces he would occupy on the field, but it’s something else to do it in this league. He’s completed it. Bravo to him. I believe he should be given a lot of credit because it’s difficult to adjust, even when we’ve moved him from position to position.”
