Declan Rice has hit back at critics of Arsenal's forward line after their 6-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Gunners were heavily criticised for their profligacy in front of goal after scoring just five times in seven matches prior to the Premier League winter break. In the seven matches since returning from their mid-season training camp in Dubai though, Mikel Arteta's side have scored a whopping 31 times, and became the first team in the history of England's top four tiers to win three consecutive away games by a margin of five goals or more.
This still hasn't silenced calls for Arsenal to go out and sign a striker in the summer. Rice though, is convinced that his side have no issue when it comes to scoring goals.
«I think that was a narrative that we weren't creating chances, that we needed a No.9, but in all honesty, we have been playing like this all year,» he told reporters at Bramall Lane. «All season we have been playing really well. Obviously the goals weren’t as free flowing as they are now, but that was never a problem that we needed a No.9 — because we have got Gabi [Jesus], we have got Kai [Havertz], we have got Eddie [Nketiah] and we have got Leo [Trossard], who can play as a false nine. Goals are going to come.
»So I don't think that has ever been a big problem. I think now we are really in our groove and we are looking really threatening in front of goal."
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Rice himself is enjoying a decent season in front of goal and added another goal and assist to his tally against Sheffield United. This takes him up to 12 goal
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