November 6th 2024.
Emmanuel Petit has recently expressed his disappointment with one of Arsenal's top players. In a recent interview, the former Gunners midfielder stated that he expected more from Declan Rice, who has not been performing up to his usual standards this season.
The Gunners have been struggling in the Premier League, with their recent 1-0 defeat to Newcastle making it three games without a win. This has caused them to fall behind the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in the early stages of the title race. While many have attributed their downturn in results to injuries, Petit believes that individual performances have also been a factor.
Specifically, Petit mentioned Rice as one player who has not been living up to expectations. He stated, "Declan Rice is the player that I've expected more from this season. He's been struggling since the start of the season and the red card he received in August was a sign of that. I hope he comes back stronger, but he's been below par so far."
Rice, who played in every Premier League game for Arsenal last season and became a crucial part of Mikel Arteta's midfield, has not been able to replicate the same level of performance this season. His most notable mistake was picking up a red card early in the campaign, which cost the team two points against Brighton. He also recently suffered a knock in training that may force him to miss their upcoming Champions League match against Inter Milan and their weekend game against Chelsea.
However, Petit sees this as a blessing in disguise for Rice. He believes that the injury could give the 25-year-old a much-needed break to recharge and come back stronger. "He's been marvellous since he signed for Arsenal, but this season, he's not the same player anymore. It was a long season last year, and he also played many games at a high level during the European Championship. During the Newcastle game, we saw his face many times on TV, and he looks so tired. You can see it on his face," Petit explained.
In conclusion, while injuries have played a role in Arsenal's struggles, individual performances, such as Rice's, have also been a contributing factor. Petit hopes that Rice will use this break to rest and come back stronger to help the team get back on track.
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