Stuart Pearce didn’t hold back in his assessment of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice following their 3-0 triumph against Bournemouth earlier today. The Gunners maintained their pursuit of Manchester City in the title race with a commanding display against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a first-half penalty, highlighting Arsenal’s dominance as they unleashed an impressive 16 shots in the opening half. Despite Bournemouth’s attempts to rally after the break, Arsenal’s defence remained resolute, with goalkeeper David Raya scarcely tested.
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Leandro Trossard secured the victory with a goal 20 minutes from time, before Declan Rice sealed the win with a late strike. While Rice played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s crucial victory, Stuart Pearce singled out a moment of hesitation early in the match.
Four points clear at the top of the Premier League with two games to go.
Ten goal difference ahead of Manchester City.
It’s not over yet. We will fight until the end.
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In the 7th minute, Rice found himself in a promising position after winning possession near the halfway line. However, Pearce criticised Rice’s decision-making, suggesting that he should have been more decisive in front of goal instead of opting for a pass.
During a talkSPORT segment, Pearce remarked, “This is where I think Declan Rice can go to another level. Winning the ball on the halfway line, he had players left and right, but he was looking for the pass. I think he should be looking for the shot.”
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Despite Rice’s improvement in goal-scoring this season, Pearce believes the midfielder has the potential to elevate his game further, envisioning him as a midfielder capable of netting 20 goals a season. With Rice’s technical ability and knack for finding the back of the net, Pearce emphasises the importance of confidence and decisiveness in the box.
As Arsenal look ahead to the next season, manager Mikel Arteta will aim to harness Rice’s talents further, ensuring the midfielder becomes a more composed presence inside the area. With Rice’s burgeoning potential, Arsenal could unlock a formidable asset in their pursuit of success in the Premier League.
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