Roy Keane has given a fresh verdict on Declan Rice after previously questioning the Arsenal star
Roy Keane has lavished praise on Declan Rice, insisting the Arsenal midfielder has "stepped up to the plate" during the Premier League title run-in. Ahead of Arsenal's clash with Manchester City last month, former Manchester United hardman Keane claimed Rice wasn't demonstrating sufficient leadership for the Gunners.
He insisted Rice needed to "get a grip of people" as Mikel Arteta's side faltered in the title race. Yet, since the Gunners' 2-1 defeat at City, Rice has emerged as a standout performer.
The England international caught the eye in Premier League outings against Newcastle United and Fulham, along with both semi-final legs against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, scooping the Player of the Match award in Tuesday's second leg.
"Without a doubt, he has stepped up to the plate," Keane, speaking to Sky Sports, said on Rice. "Obviously I have had question marks over Declan - there is no doubting his quality but in terms of his leadership skills...
"But certainly over the last few weeks, even the reaction after the setback with the Man City game, he has stepped up to another level and that is what you want from your big players. He has certainly done that."
"With all the demands on Arsenal, Declan is always available, he is available for every game," Keane added.
Going into Sunday's clash with West Ham, the Gunners have secured three victories and one draw from their previous four fixtures. It's a sequence that has placed their Premier League title ambitions firmly back in their own control, while also booking their place in the Champions League final.
There's a sense that the Gunners have discovered a renewed team unity to recover from back-to-back top-flight defeats against Bournemouth and City. Arteta stated before the match that they must carry that momentum into the final four games of the campaign.
"It's crucial, immense and needed, because what they can provide when we get the stadium into that emotional state, to that level of connection with the players, it's just incredible," the Spaniard said.
"The players described it, they're the most important ones and they described it like they never had that feeling before in the stadium, and they make them better."
With West Ham next on the agenda, the Gunners hold a two-point advantage over second-placed City with three fixtures remaining. They face Burnley and Crystal Palace in their closing two encounters.