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#3 Declan Rice excels as Manchester City watch on
After news broke this week that Manchester City are tracking the teenager's progress as a potential heir to Fernandinho's throne, it was interesting to see how he'd deal with the added attention and scrutiny during a televised fixture on Saturday lunchtime.
He passed the test with flying colours from minute one, composed in possession and equally effective without it. Able to regularly snuff out attacks, forcing Arsenal players - particularly Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - into deeper positions to try creating opportunities and intercepting loose balls with ease.
Able to thwart moves in their tracks whenever the visitors looked to approach him in one-on-one duels, they'd much rather attack the spaces in-behind than dribble anywhere near him.
He made a crucial goal-saving interception to deny Alexandre Lacazette after Sead Kolasinac's clever cutback, before missing the hosts' best chance of the half with an unmarked header. He reacted angrily, knowing fully well just how good a goalscoring chance it was. Arsenal hadn't conceded from a corner this season, though the 19-year-old's luck was about to change.
As Nasri teed him up in space, he let fly with a first-time strike which flew beyond a helpless Bernd Leno - marking his first Premier League goal in style. It was an excellent finish but one marred by a messy defensive effort from the visitors, who failed to clear their lines.
His overall display was an excellent one and earned him the Man of the Match award, on a day where coverage of his performance was always going to be heightened. He turns 20 on Monday and having been released by Chelsea aged 13, his determination to prove them wrong has been a joy to watch in recent seasons. Long may it continue!
