Manchester United hero Paul Scholes has highlighted what Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice must stop doing to become unplayable for opponents. The England international put in a Man of the Match display to help Arsenal secure their first Premier League win at Anfield since 2012 on Sunday.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes praised the run that Rice made to lay the assist for Kai Havertz’s goal in the 1-0 win over Liverpool. The former United midfielder also named the habit he believes is holding Rice back.
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It was in the 16th minute that Rice powered around the outside of Noni Madueke on the right, and drove into space before sliding a low cross through the six-yard box for Havertz to tap in at the far post.
The goal proved to be the difference between the sides as Arsenal went three points clear of Manchester City in the summit of the Premier League table.
Scholes, who has questioned Rice’s standing among the Premier League’s best midfielders before, was generous about the burst that created the goal. He said on the podcast:
“What he did yesterday where he powered, you can’t stay with that. Probably a little bit Steven Gerrard-like.”
Then came the caveat. Scholes still thinks Rice takes too many touches for a midfielder, and that the habit costs Arsenal tempo when he drifts into central areas.
He added:
“My only thing with Declan Rice, I still think he takes too many touches for a midfield player. If he decides to just play one and two touch and run, he’d be virtually unplayable. Almost in a Steven Gerrard type of way.”
“It’s once he starts strutting in the middle of the pitch and taking too many touches. One, two touch, run. You will never stay with him. You’ll never be able to live with him. And he started to do that a little bit more, because I thought he was brilliant yesterday, brilliant run and a great pass as well.”
Rice is leading the charts for most assists in the Premier League this season after setting up his teammates five times in nine games.
What Rice said after Arsenal’s win at Liverpool
Rice, named man of the match, was in no mood to get carried away by the plaudits at the end of the win vs Liverpool. Speaking to Sky Sports, he revealed the conversation with Arteta that has been the driving force behind his start to the season.
“The manager had a really honest conversation with me at the start of the season and still thinks that I can do more in this shirt and for this club.”
He also credited the preparation behind the goal, saying:
“We spoke about overlaps before the game.”
On the title race, Rice was equally measured:
“I’ve learned that the table, you can only take it seriously in February, March.”
Arsenal next face Slavia Praha away in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Edited by Nived Zenith
