Mikel Arteta has praised Declan Rice as one of the top midfielders globally following his impressive performance in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Rice scored twice in the second half, turning the match around for the Gunners after Evanilson had given Bournemouth the lead in the 10th minute due to a mistake by Gabriel Magalhães, who quickly equalized six minutes later.
Junior Kroupi’s long-range goal in the 76th minute made for a tense ending, but Arsenal managed to secure the win, extending their lead to six points at the top of the Premier League.
Having joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for a club-record fee of £105 million ($141.4m), Rice has adapted his playing style to a more advanced role, shifting from a defensive midfield position.
When asked if the 26-year-old has become one of the finest midfielders in the game, Arteta responded: “Yes, absolutely. In my opinion, he is among the best. Declan is consistently evolving his game, continually adding new aspects to his role within the team. I believe he can further improve in several areas, and he has the drive to do so. He is vital for us.”
Arteta also highlighted Gabriel’s response after his early mistake that allowed Evanilson to score, calling it a significant moment in the team’s development, alongside Rice’s determination to play through a swollen knee for the full 90 minutes at Vitality Stadium.
“I was very impressed with the team’s growth today in terms of individual character and presence,” he noted.
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“The way Gabi Magalhaes responded after his significant mistake showed remarkable character. Not only how he played afterwards but also how he conveyed energy throughout the match was impressive. And Declan too.
“For him, every minute was crucial to ensuring he could contribute today. We were uncertain about his availability, but the way he competed, performed, and scored those two goals sends a powerful message to the team.”