Welcome back to knockout Champions League football, Arsenal!
The London club have been away for a while, but they got hit straight in the face with a massive blow in their quest to progress in Europe’s elite competition on Wednesday night.
Let’s be honest, Mikel Arteta doesn’t have much to shout about because there were poor performances across the pitch from Arsenal.
But Jamie Carragher singled out Declan Rice for praise and how he ‘doesn’t get enough credit for his ability on the ball’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (21/02/24 at 10:15 pm).
Ever since teams returned from the winter break, Mikel Arteta has pulled a bunny out of the hat because it’s Declan Rice now taking set pieces.
Given that the 25-year-old is a towering figure and a powerful player with a very quick defensive brain, many would expect him to either be in the heart of the penalty area for dead-ball situations or on the edge of the box waiting to stop the opposition from going on the counter.
But not at Arsenal, whilst many saw this as an unexpected move, Jamie Carragher is loving the ‘real quality’ on display from the midfielder and how his teammates didn’t make the best use of it against Porto.
Declan Rice’s set-pieces for Arsenal
“There is just one thing to say there,” said Carragher. “You see Declan Rice taking the set pieces. He is a big lad, so you normally expect him to be in the box.
“That has only been happening in the last five or six games. I think it shows the quality of the player. He doesn’t get enough credit for his ability on the ball.
“But you see the actual cross for the first one. The whip in for the second chance that Gabriel has. He has got real quality, hence why he is on set-pieces.”
Attention turns to the Premier League title race
A number of these Arsenal players are facing this situation for the first time. Knockout football in Europe and then straight back to a title battle.
There isn’t any time to rest or recover, so that will be the biggest test for these players, as they face a tricky tie against Newcastle United on Saturday night.
Whilst Arsenal were losing out in Portugal, their title rivals Liverpool recorded a 4-1 win over Luton Town to go five points clear at the top.
Not only is Liverpool’s goal difference now better, but they have put that scoreboard pressure on their rivals and the only response can be a win.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
