Arsenal showcased great courage in their Premier League title charge by beating Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
To play your bitter rivals so late on in the season and when you are pushing for ultimate glory, it’s never easy.
Last season, Arsenal beat Tottenham in their backyard, but they still proceeded to crumble in the title race weeks later and hand English football’s main crown to Manchester City.
At that time, William Saliba was injured, there was no Declan Rice or Kai Havertz, and the players were yet to experience the heartache of losing.
Fast forward to the present and you feel this Arsenal team have learnt their lesson following that 3-2 win.
At half-time, they were cruising. 3-0 up. Causing issues from corners and open play, with no answer from Ange Postecoglou’s men.
But, out of nowhere, David Raya gifted Tottenham a goal, before Rice gave away an out-of-character penalty and the last ten minutes proved to be very difficult for the away team.
Despite all of that, they still got through it and Owen Hargreaves was keen to point towards someone like Rice for helping them over the line, as he told Premier League Productions (29/04/24 at 2:05 pm).
The former midfielder shared that, after Son Heung-min scored his penalty, Rice was the one urging his team on and telling them to go again.
Compared to the previous campaign, Hargreaves believes that was a big difference, as well as the 25-year-old’s ability to be ‘at his best when it’s difficult’.
Declan Rice in the north London derby
“There was a shot of Declan Rice after the penalty went in and they were walking back to the middle of the pitch,” said Hargreaves.
“He was like ‘come on, let’s go’. Last season, I don’t think you would have seen that. Heads might have been a little bit down. That’s what Declan gives you, even though his personality. That’s what you need. We have all been there.
“You know your players when it’s difficult. I think Declan is at his best when it’s difficult. I loved the fact that the team bounced back and won that game because they have achieved so much this Arsenal team. They are in a different place. They are ready to take it if Manchester City slip-up.”
Arsenal’s Player of the Season
Is there going to be anybody else? Look, there have been many top performers for Arsenal this season.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed an outstanding partnership. It’s the best in the Premier League right now, without a doubt.
Ben White has, once again, proven to be an underrated player at right-back, Kai Havertz is proving to the world that it’s ‘£60 million down the drain’ and Bukayo Saka is having his best goalscoring season.
But you have to admit that Rice stands above them all and when the awards at Arsenal are handed out at the end of the season, you expect his name to top the list.
- MORE: Declan Rice sends four-word message to Bukayo Saka straight after Arsenal's win at Tottenham Hotspur