Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, moving above Manchester City following their slip-up against Brighton. Declan Rice has now opened up about his private conversation with manager Mikel Arteta.
Rice on his upturn in form
Rice, who provided the assist for Kai Havertz's winner at Anfield, shared details of the candid chat he had with Arteta ahead of this campaign. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I think the manager had a really honest conversation with me at the start of the season and still thinks I can do more in this shirt and for this club."
"This season so far I've been feeling really good. We spoke about overlaps before this game and I spoke to Havertz about attacking the box with real aggression and he was there. He nearly could have had another one with the same action. I'm so happy for him because he deserves that goal and ultimately to win 1-0."
Iraola's fury over penalty decision
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was left frustrated after the match, insisting his team should have been awarded a penalty. In the 21st minute, a Liverpool cross into the box saw Alexander Isak jump under pressure from Timber but fail to connect, with replays appearing to show the Arsenal defender grabbing Isak's shirt.
Isak did not appeal for a foul and play continued, with referee Andy Madley and VAR declining to intervene. After the final whistle, Iraola said his side deserved a spot kick and threatened to instruct his players to go to ground more readily in future.
"I think the [Alexander] Isak one is a clear penalty. He is going to head the ball in front of the goal and they grab him where everyone sees the shirt," Iraola said. "You don't need a lot just to avoid Alex because the ball just goes in front of him and I don't see the reason why [it is not given]. Probably because he doesn't dive or he doesn't go to the floor – it shouldn't be a reason not to concede a penalty.
"I can say what I think about the situations, but we cannot waste too much time about the refereeing decisions. We have to say what it is, I think it is a pen, but we have to control the things we need to improve to be on the right side of these close games."
European test ahead
Rice and his Arsenal teammates now face a midweek European trip to Prague on Wednesday night. The Gunners sit seventh in the Champions League table following two victories and a draw in their most recent outing against Bayern Munich.
