Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice had a great cameo against Crystal Palace in the Premier League as his team cruised to a 5-1 win. As shared by the Premier League’s official website, the Gunners’ record signing became the first player to score and assist off the bench for the club since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang achieved the feat back in 2018.
The statement on the website read, “Declan Rice became the first Arsenal player to both score and assist a goal from the bench in a Premier League away game since October 2018, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey both did so against Fulham.”
The Gunners ran riot at Craven Cottage that night as they won 5-1 against Fulham. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagged a brace apiece, while Aaron Ramsey was also on target as they cruised to a win. The Welshman had also scored and assisted in that match.
Arsenal had a mixed season that year as they could only manage a fifth-place finish behind London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. However, they are aiming for bigger things now.
Arsenal have players hitting form at the right time
Aside from Declan Rice returning from a niggle to come off the bench and provide two goal contributions, the Gunners also have a couple other players who seem to be hitting decent form of late.
The second name on this list would be Gabriel Jesus, who looked severely low on confidence until this week. The Brazilian started against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals and scored a sensational hat-trick to take Arsenal through to the semi-finals.
Declan Rice elevates the #Arsenal midfield in and out of possession.
He kills transitions early when we’re defending, and gives us huge carrying power when attacking.
The notion that his passing range is limited is absurd. World class.
📹@AFC_Adi06 #AFC pic.twitter.com/0UiMi5mJYc
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) December 23, 2024
In order to maintain the team’s momentum, Arteta handed him a start against the same opposition. Jesus scored a quickfire double in the first half and even missed two glorious chances to bag a hat-trick. They also have Martin Odegaard getting into full rhythm, while Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya have arguably been their most consistent players this season.
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Bukayo Saka’s injury is undoubtedly a major concern, but the Gunners will have to deal with his absence in a demanding phase of the season.
