STAR CLASS: What Declan Rice did for Arsenal against Sporting CP that was ‘worth the wait’

On Tuesday night, Arsenal defeated Sporting CP 5-1 in the Champions League, reaching two victories and eight goals in their previous two games.

Image

After crushing Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League the previous weekend, the Gunners were just as clinical against the Lisbon powerhouses at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

As Arsenal dominated Sporting, Gabriel Martinelli opened the score after just seven minutes, and Kai Havertz added a second goal in the 22nd minute.

Gabriel Magalhaes was left unmarked to head in from a Declan Rice corner, giving the Gunners a 3-0 lead just before halftime.

Image

On 65 minutes, Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal a three-goal advantage again from the penalty spot, despite Sporting’s score through Goncalo Inacio.

After Franco Israel first blocked a Mikel Merino attempt, Leandro Trossard headed into the net seven minutes from time to give the team a decisive 5-1 victory.

Leon Osman, a BBC Sport commentator, praised Rice’s performance throughout the game, calling it “worth the wait.”

Arsenal defeated Sporting 3-0, and Leon Osman says Declan Rice’s set-piece was “worth the wait.”

Osman praised Rice for his “real pace and precision” in delivering the set-piece that resulted in Gabriel’s goal.

Image

Image

According to Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live, Declan Rice took a long time to take the set-piece, but it was well worth the wait.

“It was whipped in with incredible speed and accuracy, allowing Gabriel to use the ball’s momentum to guide it into the goal.”

“That from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is fantastic.”

What the media said about Sporting vs. Rice DisplayRice received a 7 out of 10 rating from the Daily Express, which also stated: “Back in action after missing the Nottingham Forest win over the weekend.” Gabriel’s header goal had the ideal delivery.

Image

Image

Image

Football in the interim.London gave it an eight out of ten and wrote: “The night went really well.” A menace in the opponent box all the time.

“He finished a little wild, but it was still a good return to the side.”

On the evening, a number of other Arsenal players made an impression, but Gunners supporters gave Jurrien Timber special recognition for his outstanding performance.

The London Stadium will host Arsenal’s next Premier League game on Saturday night against West Ham United.