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Declan Rice insists Arsenal have a player who is actually getting ‘unfair’ criticism after 2-1 win v Tottenham
As one of the leaders in Arsenal’s dressing room, Declan Rice would have been over the moon to witness his side return to winning ways with a dominant 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
and as a result, Mikel Arteta’s side were aware of how they could p𒁏ounce on their 𓆉weakness by winning the “ball high.”
Antonin Kinsky struggled in possession a🎶gainst Arsenal as the hosts’ ploy seemed to put as much pressure on the Premier League debutant as possible — with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling hounding the Spurs goalkeeper when𝓀 he had the ball at h𒆙is feet.
Mikel Arteta would be delighted that the Gunners capitalised on Liverpool slipping u🐬p in the title race after they dropped two crucial points against Nottinghamꦓ Forest at the City Ground.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 48 | 20 | 28 | 47 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 41 | 19 | 22 | 43 |
While the Rꦆeds have a four-point advantage over Arteta’s side with a game in hand, the latest round of results were a reminder that it would be premature to suggest that Arne Slot has one hand on the coveted trophy.
After the contest, Declan Rice had plenty to say.
Declan Rice says Kai Havertz gets “unfairly scapegoated” after Arsenal vs Tottenham
Rice lauded Gabriel Magalahes’ display ꧅꧂after Tottenham, with the Brazilian defender winning his third consecutive Man of the Matcꦓh award in a North London Derby.
🔯Rice compared Myles Lewis-Skelly to Moussa Dembele due to displaying a similar𓂃 degree of strength in holding off his man in what was a coming-of-age display from the 18-year-old against Spurs.
The England internationa🔯l was frankly asked whether Havertz receives unjust criticism after Arsenal beat Tottenham.
“Do you think Kai [Havertz] gets unfairly scapeg๊oated at times?”
Rice emphasised supporters at the Emirates Stadium remain huge admirers of the £65 million () man, contrar𓃲y to how much stick that comes his way on social media.
“Yeah, definitely. But I think there’s a social media perception that people thinꦏk and then when you actually come to the stadium and actuall🅷y hear the real fans think and what they think, two different things.”
Rice went on to🐠 emphasise that Havertz is a loved figure by the Emirates faithful while stressing his 🉐key role as a battering ram up front.
“The cheer he got tonight, it was ridiculous. It wa🐼s the loudest name of the night when his name got called out.”
“You could 🃏tell it meant a lot to him and the way he just fights and scraps for 90 minutes and does it week in, week out, alright yeah, he might not score every week but what he does for the team is the most impꦯortant, he’s been brilliant.”
Arsenal told to replace Kai Havertz way before Arsenal vs Tottenham
Havertz has been deemed “awkward” on the pitch as he has 🦩received widespread critiꦕcism of every kind since joining Arsenal last season.
as well by Gabby Agbonlahor in November.
“I think [their ti🌃tle hopes] have g𓂃one, I really do.”
“Th🌃ey are too reliant on Saka. Martinelli will turn up one game out of five. Havertz doesn’t look to me like he’s that leader that you want up front.”
Agbonlahor added: “They miss a striker. Last season, I’m sure they only scored three or four goals less [sic, five] than Manchester City. So everyone was saying they don’t need a striker, the🌱y spread their goals out; Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz…”
“But, what would you do if you 🍸did have a striker?🦩 You might go and score 10 more goals than Manchester City!”
However, it is key for Havertz to ignore his critics and focus on the next game, starꦺting with Arsenal’s clash against Aston Villa on Sunda🍷y.
With his teammates like Rice backing the under-fire forward, the Champions League winner should feel confid🅘⛄ent in himself that he has what it takes to be his side’s ideal number nine.