Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice, has emerged the best player for Matchday 20 in the Premier League following his performance in his side’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth.
Rice, following a voting exercise by fans, skipped past Wolves youngster, Mateus Mane, John McGinn of Aston Villa and Newcastle defender, Malick Thiaw, to become Arsenal’s third player to be announced for the accolade in the ongoing campaign.
The Englishman’s 46 percent votes was ahead of 18 pulled by Mane, 10 by McGinn and Thiaw’s five, joining his teammates: Eberechi Eze and Leaonard Trossard who both won the award in Matchweek 12 and 19 respectively.
The league body, while announcing the midfielder as the winner on Tuesday, disclosed that his performance in the week which included two goals scored in 17 minutes is worthy of appraisal, adding that it helped Arsenal keep up the pace in the quest for the team’s title ambition.
Rice smashed in a trademark strike just outside Bournemouth’s box to score his first before turning in Bukayo Saka’s cutback minutes later to record his first ever brace in the Premier League.
Aside from his goals, the Gunner’s number 4 had eight recoveries, three tackles, three clearances and created one chance in a dominated midfield display.
