Declan Rice singles out Arsenal star after Bayern win – ‘We trust him’ | Football | Sport
Declan Rice has lavished praise on his Arsenal team-mate Martin Zubimendi, crediting the summer signing for enabling him to adopt a more liberated role in midfield. This was particularly evident during their Champions League victory over Bayern Munich. The England star put on an outstanding performance on Wednesday night, with Zubimendi playing a pivotal part.
Zubimendi played a significant role in Arsenal‘s first goal, winning the corner that Jurrien Timber headed home. Despite a fightback from Vincent Kompany’s side through Lennart Karl, Arsenal struggled to assert dominance. However, Rice and Zubimendi turned the tide in the second half, leading to a dominant display that saw substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli find the back of the net.
Even though he didn’t directly contribute to a goal, Rice was named player of the match, with Martin Keown specifically highlighting Zubimendi’s influence on his commanding midfield performances.
Speaking to TNT Sport, Rice agreed: “Yeah, it’s been so easy to play with him [Zubimendi]. We only signed him in the summer and usually it takes a while to build a connection.
“But from the first moment we had together in pre-season, I could just tell that I was going to play some good football with him.
“I just really liked him as a person and as a player. As the games have gone on, our understanding of each other has been outstanding. He’s such a nice guy.
“He is the Spain no.6 and we know what Spanish no.6s are like. They are the best at first phase build up, turning on the ball and playing forward, playing into pockets and that is exactly what we’ve got with him.
“We all trust him with the ball. If there is a player on you, it is just easy to give him the ball and we all feel so confident with him. He has been so good for us – an unbelievable player.”
The sole disappointment on an otherwise brilliant evening for Arsenal was Leandro Trossard’s premature departure.
A calf issue required treatment before he made his way directly down the tunnel after being substituted.
With a big Premier League clash against Chelsea looming this weekend, Arteta will be desperate to have him fit despite recently welcoming back Madueke and Martinelli.
Fitness concerns continue to plague the Gunners, though, with Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus all presently sidelined.
Regarding an imminent comeback for the Brazilian striker, Arteta recently commented: “It’s about making the steps day-by-day in a different surrounding. He’s been doing everything on his own.
“Now he’s got very competitive players around him, and let’s see how he copes with that. But he’s full of energy.”
