Arsenal star player, Declan Rice, has recently responded to criticism from Roy Keane, a Manchester United legend. The England international took a swipe at Keane's goal-scoring record while defending his own performance.
Rice has been an exceptional asset for Arsenal since his transfer from West Ham last summer. The move was initially valued at £100m and since then, he has established himself as a key player in the Gunners' squad. His contribution is significant as they strive to win their first Premier League title in two decades.
Since joining the Emirates team, Rice has made 48 appearances across all competitions. He scored six goals and provided nine assists during this period.
Rice trolled Keane by calling out his goalscoring stats
Last year, Keane criticized Rice for not scoring enough goals or providing sufficient assists in Premier League matches. He suggested that the young midfielder needed to do more to become a top-tier player.
Rice also faced criticism from Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp over his lack of goals but dismissed these comments as well. Despite operating in a deep-lying midfield role where scoring isn't typically expected, these criticisms have persisted.
When asked about whether he felt the criticism of his scoring was fair by The Athletic, he defended himself by stating:
Declan Rice, Arsenal midfielder, said:
“No, not really. Because Roy Keane, (Graeme) Souness, (Jamie) Redknapp, people that talk about my goalscoring ability, if you looked at their goals, they didn’t score hundreds in their career
“But they’re remembered for what they did as midfield players, Roy Keane breaking up play, being a hard tackling midfielder, won loads of titles for United.
“The same with Souness. So I don’t know why when it comes to me it’s all about goals, because it’s never been my game. Since I’ve been scoring, no one has said anything!”
Arsenal midfielder spoke on his comparison with Rodri
The 24-year-old further insisted that he is different from Rodri of Manchester City and should not be compared with him directly. Declan Rice's response highlights how players can contribute significantly beyond just goal-scoring or assisting roles on the field. His defensive prowess and ability to control games are crucial elements of his game that often go unnoticed but are vital for any successful team.
Declan Rice added:
“He’s a lot more structured than I am, I’d say I’m a lot more off the cuff. Obviously, this season I’ve been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like being free a little bit more.”
Despite facing criticism from football legends, Rice has continued to perform at a high level for Gunners. His resilience and determination are commendable, making him an essential part of the Gunners' quest for Premier League glory.
