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Micah Richards. Inset of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and question mark.
Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images - Charlie Crowhurst - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

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Micah Richards says whether he thinks Declan Rice is world-class after win over Real Madrid and picks his best position

Jamie Brown
Jamie Brown

Micah Richards has been assessing Declan Rice’s performance against Real Madrid and has also named the midfielder’s best position for Arsenal.

It was a historic evening at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal as they thrashed the defending European champions, Real Madrid, 3-0.

Declan Rice’s sensational brace of free-kicks and Mikel Merino’s beautifully taken goal secured one of the biggest wins in the Gunner🌃s’ recent history.

The 26-year-old stole the headlines in N🍌orth London as he scored not once but twice from set ♑pieces against Los Blancos.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Micah Richards calls Declan Rice ‘world-class’ and picks his best position

Micah Richards told Declan Rice that he 🦋𒆙is ‘world-class’ when he plays in the number eight role for Arsenal.

The former Premier League defender, speaking directly to the 26-year-o🍌ld, admitted how his attributes were best suited to playing in a more advanced midfield role.

Thomas Partey was the player who slotted into the number six position and allowed Rice the freedom to ge♏t into more advanced positions with the ball.

Richards told Rice on CBS Sports: “Bas♔ically, in the number six, I think you are fantastic, but in the number eight, I think you are world-class because the way you travel with the ball so athletic, the tackles, the through balls – absolutely everything!”

Mikel Arteta on Declan Rice’s two free-kicks vs Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that Rice has been absolutely determined tജo beco𓃲me Arsenal’s free-kick taker for some time.

The midfielder was finally given his chance against the European chaꦜmpions and he took it with both 🎶hands as scored the Gunners’ first direct free-kick since September 2021.

Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was spotted telling Rice to bend his෴ effort around Madrid’s wall, meanwhile, Arsenal’s fans also urged Rice to shoot.

Speaking to the media after the game, Arteta said: “He’s been very determined [to take them]. We haven’t scored a direct free kick since September 2021.🦂❀

“To score two goals of that magnitude… what are the odds. I’m a 𒊎big believer. I think the crowd gave us som🔴ething.”