Declan Rice’s animated leadership criticised after error in Arsenal’s 4-1 win at Tottenham
declan Rice’s attempt to rally his team during the north London derby has drawn sharp comment from former players after Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday. The midfielder’s error led directly to Spurs’ equaliser in the first half, and pundits say his visible frustration and animation may be undermining his effectiveness at key moments.
Wayne Rooney on Rice’s temperament
Wayne Rooney said Rice’s desire to win can become a hindrance, noting the midfielder’s error that allowed Tottenham to level in the first half of the derby. Rooney highlighted that Rice has often escaped tight situations with composure, but argued that the fact he immediately rallied the team after the goal "probably highlights the mistake a little bit more. " He added that watching Rice over the past four weeks shows him becoming more animated and that a deeper breath and calmer composure would aid Rice in the run-in. The Wayne Rooney Show is available on iPlayer and on Sounds.
Paul Scholes contrasts Rice with Roy Keane
Paul Scholes delivered a blunt verdict on Rice’s leadership, calling him "too emotional" to lead in the style of a captain such as Roy Keane. Scholes described Keane’s leadership as having a calmness that Rice lacks, saying Rice appears lively and excitable—"Come on! Come on! Come on!"—only to make a self-inflicted mistake. While Scholes conceded Rice could be a captain, he questioned whether that emotional approach is desirable when a team is chasing a league title and facing tough matches.
The Kolo Muani equaliser came 24 seconds after restart
The match swung immediately after Arsenal celebrated their opener. Eberechi Eze lashed in the opening goal and Arsenal’s players formed a huddle; Rice quickly took charge, repeatedly pointing to his temples to urge focus after Arsenal had conceded within minutes of scoring in their previous two league matches, against Brentford and Wolves. Fate then intervened: within 24 seconds of the restart Rice attempted to dribble from a right-back position, a misjudgement that gifted the ball to Randal Kolo Muani, who ran into the box and slammed it past David Raya to make the score level.
Declan and the Gerrard parallel
Rice had earlier spoken in an interview with Sky of his admiration for Steven Gerrard and his ambition to become an all‑round midfielder in that mould. Commentators compared the moment to Gerrard’s famous slip that led to Demba Ba’s goal in the 2014 title race, but noted differences: Rice is nearly seven years younger than Gerrard was at the comparable moment and, observers, reacted more maturely by refocusing on the fundamentals—winning his battles, dominating the centre and trusting team-mates to find the goals.
Viktor Gyökeres’ two goals and performance metrics
Two of Arsenal’s goals in the 4-1 win came from Viktor Gyökeres. His first-half shot flashed past the far post after cutting inside Radu Dragusin, and early in the second half he was given five yards to control before unleashing a 20-yard strike that beat Vicario. His second of the game, which completed the 4-1 margin, followed a run down the inside-left channel in which he shrugged aside Archie Gray. Despite that contribution, analysis in the context calls Gyökeres’ first Premier League season less than a success: the forward has 15 goals and two assists in a little under 26 matches of playing time in all competitions, has scored in seven of 26 league appearances, and recorded only one goal and three shots on target against other sides currently in the top half. Observers judged him short of the required standard, noting limitations in pace and power; the signing’s main effect has been said to enhance the centre-forward reputation of the persistently injured Kai Havertz.
Some commentators suggested that if Gyökeres faced Radu Dragusin every week he might rival Rice in Player of the Year conversations. Others argued Rice’s consistency across many matches since joining Arsenal a few years ago, and the fact that he has often been the team’s best player and has willed the side to victories, should not be dismissed after one poor judgement call that did not ultimately alter the outcome.
Other headlines running alongside commentary on the derby included Sri Lanka’s collapse against New Zealand to exit the T20 World Cup; Manchester United posting a profit while debt rose to £1. 3bn; UEFA rejecting Benfica’s appeal over Prestianni’s ban; a Bafta-winning documentary, and features such as Actor Rosamund Pike joining Romesh in studio, Squeeze performing with the Concert Orchestra, Bodo/Glimt’s "historical moment, " reflections on an England leader’s day, debate over whether Spurs are too big to go down, a look at Mayweather v Pacquiao as a boxing "carnival, " and why Champions League return is crucial to Manchester United.
What makes this notable is how a player’s visible urgency can have both galvanising and destabilising effects: Rice’s attempt to shut down any slip in concentration aimed to prevent repeat concessions against Brentford and Wolves, yet the immediate consequence in this derby was a turnover that allowed an opponent to score within half a minute of play resuming.
