Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has now made a claim about one Arsenal player after the North London derby.

Arsenal had to fight for their 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. 

Despite the hosts dominating the majority of the possession and territory, the Gunners were still able to notch up a 3-0 lead by half time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Arsenal set a North London Derby record by racking up such a lead so quickly. However, despite the scoreline being so comfortably in their favour by the break, Mikel Arteta’s side had not been able to produce their best performance on the pitch.

Spurs fought back after the break. The Gunners held firm until the 64th minute, when goalkeeper David Raya was guilty of a horrendous error which gifted Tottenham a goal. The Spanish shot-stopper received the ball in his own box but miscued his pass, giving possession straight to Cristian Romero who then found the back of the net. 

Declan Rice led Arsenal resistance effort against Spurs

Whilst Arsenal fans were impressed by how Raya responded to his mistake, that moment in the match undeniably saw momentum swing in Spurs’ favour. They attacked in waves, roared on by a revived home support. 

However, Arsenal denied them any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. Declan Rice played a big part in this, as he battled fiercely in the middle of the park and worked tirelessly to restrict space and cut off passing lanes.

However, with 87 minutes on the clock, the 25-year-old attempted to clear the ball but unfortunately saw his boot connect with Tottenham defender Ben Davies instead. A VAR review awarded a penalty to the hosts, which Son Heung-min summarily dispatched.

What Declan Rice gives Arsenal

Owen Hargreaves was hugely impressed by the former West Ham United man’s response to the adverse situation. Speaking on Premier League Productions (29/04/24, 14:05), he said “There was a shot of Declan Rice after the penalty went in and they were walking back to the middle of the pitch. He was like ‘come on, let’s go.’

“Last season, I don’t think you would have seen that. Heads might have been a little bit down. That’s what Declan gives you, even through his personality. That’s what you need.

“I think Declan is at his best when it’s difficult. I loved the fact that the team bounced back and won that game because they have achieved so much this Arsenal team. They are in a different place. They are ready to take it if Manchester City slip-up.”

The £105 million summer signing has been praised for his character before. Arteta has even tipped Rice to be a future Arsenal captain. He has made this team stronger on the pitch, and mentally as well. 

That grit will be needed in the nervy final few weeks of this season as the Gunners seek to take the Premier League title race down to the wire.