Arteta backs Rice to get even better after Real Madrid masterclass | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has backed Declan Rice to get even better after the midfielder’s masterclass in the club’s win over Real Madrid.

Rice was named man of the match in both legs of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against the Spanish giants, as the Gunners emphatically eliminated the holders.

The England international scored two fantastic free-kicks in the first leg, before a performance full of tenacity and drive in the return. Rice dominated his duel with Jude Bellingham in a display that Arteta said ‘put him in a different dimension’.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Ipswich this weekend, Arteta backed Rice to get even better. He said his recent big-game performances justify the decision by Arsenal to break their transfer record to sign the 26-year-old.

“He’s learning more and more. His performances like he had in the second leg against Real Madrid put him in a different dimension. That’s why we brought him here,” Arteta said.

“That’s why we are demanding as well. It’s about maintaining that level of consistency and belief. Undoubtedly his role will be bigger and bigger.”

Arteta provided an update on his Arsenal squad ahead of the trip to Ipswich and confirmed that Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori remain out.

“Jorgy is still struggling. That’s probably a question for the doctors,” Arteta said when asked if the Italian would be fit for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final with PSG.

On Calafiori, he added: “If everything goes OK, I hope so [that he’ll be fit for PSG]. Maybe a little bit before.”

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