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Emmanuel Petit says one Arsenal player is almost unrecognisable at Euro 2024
Arsenal fans have a lot of interest in Euro 2024, with 11 Gunners players taking part in the competition.
This is the first time that Arsenal have hit double figures with regards to their players representing their countries at the tournament.
Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Oleksandr Zinchenko and David Raya are in their respective countries’ squads.
For England fans, there will be particular focus on Rice, Saka and Ramsdale, all of whom will be eager to help their nation go one better than they did at the last Euros.
Admittedly, the Three Lions’ last display wasn’t particularly pleasant to watch, and questions are being asked of manager Gareth Southgate.
England drew 1-1 with Denmark and, while the result wasn’t too bad, the performance of the team left a lot to be desired.
For instance, Rice struggled to have much influence on the game. The Arsenal midfielder was often too deep when England were out of possession, and his passing was off.
Former Gunners ace Emmanuel Petit, speaking on , has now had his say on Rice’s latest performance.
Emmanuel Petit thinks England team balance doesn’t help Arsenal star Declan Rice
Petit admits that he “didn’t recognise” Rice in the game against Denmark, and he feels the England team’s balance isn’t helping the Arsenal man.
“When I look at what he was doing with Arsenal, it’s a bunch of teammates, you know, friends,” said the Frenchman (talkSPORT, 21/6/24, 11:59am).
“And they are all playing with closed eyes all the time because they have trust and confidence in each other.
“I don’t think this is the case (with England) because the balance of the team is not right.
“When you play in midfield, you can be everywhere but nowhere in the meantime, and this is exactly what’s going on with Declan Rice.
“Sometimes when I look at him, especially (Thursday) when I looked at the game, I am thinking, he should be deeper, he should be higher, he should be pressing, he should be more present in the midfield.
“Even with the ball, sometimes he lost some easy ball, I didn’t recognise it. I think the confidence is not right, and I think the balance of the team doesn’t help him.”
Rice not the only player to struggle for Southgate’s England
We’ve all seen what Rice can do in the Premier League and, normally, for his nation. He is one of the best midfielders in the English top flight, something he has shown time and time again for his club.
However, Rice really struggled in midweek, and he’s not the only player that looked below his best for Southgate’s team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane – three other world-class players – didn’t do well, and it can be argued that the team system isn’t benefiting them at present.
Gary Neville also spoke about Rice after the game, claiming he could potentially do with a change of position in the team.