Rice has already come up with a number of massive moments in an Arsenal shirt. And his header against the Hatters will be remembered for years to come, particularly if Mikel Arteta’s side go on and win the Premier League title this season.
It is hard to say that Rice has been a surprise given that he has stepped up to almost every challenge throughout his career. But it would appear that one attribute in Rice’s game has caught Darren Bent off-guard.
The Arsenal-supporting pundit lauded Rice after his display at Kenilworth Road, noting that his pace actually did surprise him.
“He’s so intelligent as a footballer. He just senses danger,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s quicker than I thought. I didn’t know he was that quick. But now, he’s adding more to his game, when he drives forward with the ball.
“I always feel when Declan’s got the ball at his feet, or he’s looking for a pass going forward, he’s always got one eye on ‘if I lose it here, or my next pass doesn’t get there, where’s the danger? So let me put myself in a position where, if the worst comes to the worst, I can get back and defend’. He has been absolutely outstanding. Outstanding.”
