RICE TOUCH

Jamie Carragher points out Declan Rice’s moment of genius after Myles Lewis-Skelly copied Erling Haaland’s celebration

Carragher praised one specific characteristic from Rice

LIVERPOOL icon Jamie Carragher heaped praise on Declan Rice for his reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly's celebration against Manchester City.

Arsenal thumped the reigning Premier League champions with a 5-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

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Jamie Carragher has praised Declan Rice's subtle act following Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: Getty
Rice instructed the 18-year-old to stop celebrating and stay focussedCredit: Getty
Carragher praised the midfielder's leadership

Hale End academy graduate Lewis-Skelly started the match and scored his first senior goal with an emphatic strike in the 62nd minute.

After the ball hit the back of the net, the 18-year-old wheeled away in celebration before sitting down in Erling Haaland's signature 'zen' pose.

Myles-Skelly had previous with Haaland, who scored City's only goal on Sunday, having rowed during the 2-2 draw earlier in the season.

The Norwegian appeared to shout "who the f*** are you" at the left-back, then 17, during a post-match clash in September.

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Arsenal players were quick to surround Myles-Skelly as he celebrated on Sunday, before he got up and continued celebrating with the home crowd.

But Carragher noticed a subtle act from Rice which helped Lewis-Skelly keep his composure.

Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, the ex-Liverpool defender said: "I didn't like this (the celebration) to be honest, because he's a young player. You know, mimicking Haaland and taking the mick out of him.

"But I think as a young player - and I know we all get carried away with ourselves as a young player - but I just think what Declan Rice did there...

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"He pulled him up. He's still celebrating in the corner. Listen, it's a huge moment for him, but Declan Rice is telling him to get back in position.

"And when I think about leaders in that dressing room and being a senior player...

Carra was very impressed by Rice's mindsetCredit: Sky Sports
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"Look at Declan Rice telling them: 'Get back in position! Let's not get carried away!'

"This is what senior pros should be doing in the dressing room to young players."

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for Arsenal less than two minutes into the match.

Haaland then equalised just after half-time, but Thomas Partey restored his team's lead just one minute later.

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Lewis-Skelly extended Arsenal's lead before goals from Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win.

Arsenal player ratings vs Man City

ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years.

Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated...

David Raya - 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland's 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.

Jurrien Timber - 6
Didn't offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.

William Saliba - 5
Didn't have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City's equaliser - a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard's goal.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian's 'Lotus' celebration went down a storm with fans.

Thomas Partey - 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.

Martin Odegaard - 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.

Declan Rice - 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.

Leandro Trossard - 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn't the best.

Gabriel Martinelli - 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.

Kai Havertz - 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.

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Ethan Nwaneri - 83 (on for Trossard) - 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.

Mikel Merino - 83 (on for Odegaard) - 5

Raheem Sterling - 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) - N/A

Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) - N/A

Read more on all the latest Arsenal news.

Arsenal stars targeted Haaland throughout after his antics at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.

After the fiery clash in Manchester, in which John Stones scored a dramatic added-time equaliser against the 10-man Gunners, the City superstar striker was heard telling Mikel Arteta: "Stay humble, eh? Stay humble."

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Haaland also had a furious confrontation with Gabriel Jesus and Lewis-Skelly after his comments towards Arteta.

Even the Emirates' DJ poked fun at the Norway international by playing Kendrick Lamar's hit 'Humble' after the final whistle.

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