Arsenal win was no fluke - Declan Rice showed why he could be Footballer of the YearArsenal's winner against Sporting may have come in the 91st minute, but it was no backs-to-the-wall smash-and-grab; like he has done all season, Declan Rice ran the midfieldView 3 Images Declan Rice was superb against Sporting (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)When the winning team’s keeper gets man-of-the-match the narrative quickly becomes they were lucky. ‌At the heart of that performance was Declan Rice, who bossed midfield. Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageThierry Henry singles out Arsenal's biggest problem that could cost them Champions League READ MORE :My top three would be Rice, Raya and Gabriel. But for Rice to come back at Sporting with his familiar brand of energy, work rate and quality was phenomenal. When it comes to Rice, it is all about the energy, the drive and determination to get Arsenal over the line.

Source: Daily Mirror April 08, 2026 12:02 UTC