Key Highlights
- Paul Scholes criticized Declan Rice for his emotional behavior during the North London Derby.
- Scholes believes Rice needs to exhibit more calmness under pressure in crucial matches.
- Mikel Arteta praised Rice’s attitude despite an error, highlighting his team spirit and courage.
- The debate on leadership qualities among Arsenal midfielders is ongoing.
Declan Rice Under Scrutiny: Paul Scholes’ Harsh Criticism
Paul Scholes has slammed Declan Rice for his emotional behavior during the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham. The criticism comes after Rice’s performance in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory, where he was at fault for Randal Kolo Muani’s equalizer.
Rice, who moved to Arsenal from West Ham United for a reported £105 million, has faced few questions since his arrival. However, Scholes and his ex-Manchester United teammate Nicky Butt have now highlighted the need for Rice to show more leadership qualities on the pitch.
Leadership and Emotional Control
Scholes pointed out that when Roy Keane was leading the team, there was a certain calmness about it. He contrasted this with Rice’s behavior during the derby, saying: “When you’re going for a league title, when you’ve got tough games, there has to be a calmness about you.” He further added, “I don’t like people being so emotional like that.” This criticism comes at a time when Rice was seen telling his teammates to focus just moments before he lost the ball.
Arteta’s Defense
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, focused on Rice’s reaction rather than criticizing him for his error. He said, “When he made an error, the way he played after was attitude, personality and courage to stand up in a difficult moment.” Arteta emphasized that Rice’s performance should be seen as a testament to his character and team spirit.
“You can feel sorry for yourself. You can look at: ‘oh look at this stage’.
But when you’re kids, you dream to play these kind of games. You recognize the opportunity that we are lucky to be where they are,” Arteta added.
Leadership Debate
The debate on leadership qualities among Arsenal midfielders is ongoing. While Scholes believes Rice could be a big leader within the north Londoners, he still lacks the calmness and composure of Premier League legends like Roy Keane. Nicky Butt also chimed in, saying that Rice has what it takes to be a captain but needs to work on his emotional control under pressure.
Arteta’s focus on Rice’s attitude and personality suggests that while there is room for improvement, the player is still valued for his contributions beyond just his individual performance. The question remains whether Rice can balance his passion with the calmness required in high-pressure situations.
