Martin Keown absolutely blown away by one Arsenal outfielder vs Brighton
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Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, talkSPORT Sat 27 December 2025 21:30, UK Martin Keown waxed lyrical about Declan Rice during Arsenal’s narrow victory over Brighton on Saturday.Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, with Georginio Rutter‘s own-goal ultimately proving to be the winner.Martin Odegaard found the breakthrough in the first half, and despite countless chances to kill off the game, the visitors would come close to equalising in the closing stages after Diego Gomez halved the deficit.Rice was forced to start at right-back, with Jurrien Timber picking up a slight knock, while the alternative option, Ben White, has been ruled out through injury.And there is further problems to come, with Riccardo Calafiori picking up an injury in the warm-up against Brighton.Credit: ImagoMartin Keown stunned by what Declan Rice did vs BrightonArsenal looked to apply immediate pressure on Brighton, and were all over them in the opening minutes of the game. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The Norway international was found on the edge of the box by Bukayo Saka, opening up his body and placing a powerful effort into the bottom corner.And in the second half, Arsenal would capitalise on their lead by forcing yet another own-goal.
Rice’s corner was struck hard and low, with Rutter inadvertently flicking past his own goalkeeper as he attempted to head away. Speaking on Final Score, Keown said: “The quality of the ball from Declan Rice now, he’s been doing this for about 18 months.“That is a great ball in, hard to defend and it’s an own goal.
It’s down to the quality of the ball from Rice.”The stats behind yet another stunning Rice performanceRice appears to have hit an even higher level of performance this season. The midfielder is so often the man to drag Arsenal through when his teammates fluster.Usually, that impact has come from the middle of the pitch, with the England international given the licence to get up and down the pitch while Martin Zubimendi sits at the base.Declan Rice vs BrightonMinutes played90Accurate passes42/47Shots3Interceptions3Clearances2Recoveries4But, due to injuries, Rice made his first-ever appearance for Arsenal on the right of the defence on Saturday.