"Evolution of a player": Mikel Arteta now praises Arsenal star who won 5/5 tackles vs Burnley

Arsenal registered a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners were on a four-match winning league run and extended the streak against the Clarets.

Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice scored in the opening half. The latter was awarded the man of the match.

Rice doubled the club’s advantage with a fine header from a Leandro Trossard cross from the left flank.

The Englishman played a big part in the opening goal too, delivering another quality cross from a corner.

Aside from his goal, Rice was exceptional in a defensive point of view over the course of 90 minutes.

The 26-year-old won an impressive nine duels and made nine ball recoveries.

He won 100 percent of his tackles (5/5) alongside four clearances and three interceptions.

Rice managed 21 defensive contributions against the Clarets. Gabriel was the second-best with only 11.

It was a dominant all-round showing from the club’s record signing, and manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on him after the game.

Arteta told BBC Match of the Day: “He stepped up. He won I don’t know how many balls and tackles. It’s the evolution of a player.”

Rice had a mixed start to the 2025/26 season, but his form has vastly improved over the last few months. He delivered an outstanding display on both ends of the pitch yesterday.

Arsenal are seven points ahead of second-placed Bournemouth in the league standings, but the gap will reduce with the Cherries, Manchester City and Sunderland due to play today.

The Gunners’ immediate focus will turn to Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Slavia Prague away from home. Rice is just one yellow card away from a European suspension.

With an important game against Bayern Munich later this month, the Englishman must be cautious.

Martin Zubimendi, who picked up a muscle injury yesterday, is already ruled out of Tuesday’s encounter after his third yellow card of the Champions League campaign against Atletico.

Stats from Sofascore.com

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