'The complete player': Martin Keown absolutely blown away by one Arsenal star v Bournemouth today
04/05/2024 16:00
Arsenal cruised their way past Bournemouth today as they continued to put pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table.
The Gunners scored late in the first half to ease some nerves around The Emirates before goals from Leandro Trossard and then Declan Rice settled matters.
Arsenal now hand the baton to Man City, who play later on today and Mikel Arteta and his team will be looking on with interest.
Of course, Arsenal being in and around the top should come as no surprise. They had a great season last year and then added new faces in the summer of 2023 to improve the squad.
And as we know, one of those key additions has been England midfielder, Declan Rice.
Rice has shone all season long and was once again critical to getting the win today.
And speaking about Rice’s performance, former Arsenal man Martin Keown admitted he is running out of things to say about him in terms of praise.
Declan Rice impresses again as Arsenal beat Bournemouth
Speaking about the performance of Rice for the BBC, former Gunners defender Keown lauded the £100m man.
“It was a little bit nervy that first half. Declan Rice, the superlatives for him. He just keeps getting better. If ever a position or a club was ready-made for him, it is the Arsenal situation he finds himself in.
“He is the complete player now for Arsenal. This was called the promised land and it has taken nearly 20 years to get the atmosphere we have here, the unity between the fans and the players and I think Declan embodies that. I love the celebration. He is having himself for fun. Go and enjoy it,” Keown said.
Signing of the season
Spending £100m+ on a player is always going to raise eyebrows but boy, have Arsenal had their monies worth out of Declan Rice.
Yes, they could still miss out on winning the title but Rice’s signing has been a masterstroke and he’s made the Gunners genuine contenders at home and in Europe.
In terms of impact, few players around the league can lay claim to having such a big effect on a team.
With a couple more additions around him, Rice might go onto become even better and in a good period for Arsenal, he’s going to be key in any success they have.
Rice, then, has been one of the very best signings in recent history by Arsenal.
