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Paul Merson not impressed by Arsenal midfielder v Manchester City

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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Paul Merson has criticised Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice on Twitter for his performance against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Sunday.

Declan Rice was in action for Arsenal against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London in the FA Community Shield today.

The England international midfielder, who moved to Arsenal from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window, started the match and played for 81 minutes.

The 24-year-old started the game on the left of a midfield-three.

Criticism of Declan Rice for Arsenal vs Manchester City

Arsenal beat City, who won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League last season, on penalties.

The match finished 1-1 after normal time.

And then the Gunners won the penalty shootout 4-1.

Declan Rice
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson was following the match.

And he was not pleased with Rice, noting that he was drifting out wide and was not at his best.

Rice was not at his very best for Arsenal against City, but he was not bad.

We believe that it was a very good and encouraging performance.

In the first half, the 24-year-old made some decent interceptions, but he could have done better on the ball.

Rice did not always push forward when he had the chance to in the opening 45 minutes.

The midfielder did better in the second half and grew as the game went on.

The Englishman had a chance to score in the second half as well.

Arsenal will be pleased to win the FA Community Shield.

While not many will consider it to be something major, Arsenal will feel very good about themselves that they got the better of arguably the best club side in the world, Manchester City.