'We were much better': Mikel Arteta names Arsenal ace who simply 'changed the game v Crystal Palace, not Jesus

Mikel Arteta would have been delighted after Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 win against Crystal Palace.

After Arsenal narrowly beat Palace 3-2 in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, they decided to up the ante on Saturday with a devastating display.

A brace from Gabriel Jesus, followed by goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice meant Ismaila Sarr’s well-taken equaliser was deemed a mere consolation strike.

After drawing back to back Premier League games against Everton and Fulham, Mikel Arteta’s side seemed like they were on a mission to return to winning ways against Crystal Palace.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	ArsenalArsenal	17	9	6	2	34	16	18	33

However, in the second half, Oliver Glasner’s side looked determined to stage a comeback as they were keeping the ball well and hitting the Gunners on the break.

But according to Mikel Arteta, Rice’s introduction to proceedings singlehandedly turned the game on its head in Arsenal’s favour against Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice “changed the game” for Arsenal against Crystal Palace

The former West Ham United midfielder replaced Havertz in the 58th minute, with the German international starting in the middle of the park.

Mikel Arteta explained how Rice added a sense of stability to his Arsenal side in their eventual mauling of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Arteta said via Arsenal’s official website: “Yeah, because they were more aggressive than in the first game which we expected, but we didn’t understand whether or not which sequences we had to put and the spaces that we needed to create. So, we ended up playing too much with David [Raya] very close his own goal and against them it’s a really bad game to play, and we adjusted a few things. When Rice came on, he changed the game, he gave us more dominance, still the same threat but we were much better.”

The Englishman slotted into midfield and his presence steadied the ship for Arsenal, who took far more control of proceedings upon his introduction.

Rice assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s close-range strike, as the Brazilian directed his initial attempt into the back of the net.

Rice claimed he could score 20 goals if he played up front for Arsenal and his brilliant finish for Arsenal’s fifth goal was an indicator that there could be a hint of truth to his claim.

James Maddison lauded Declan Rice’s shooting ability and it was on display as he struck the ball right into the bottom corner past a hapless Dean Henderson.

Declan Rice stats for Arsenal in 5-1 win against Crystal Palace

The 25-year-old reiterated why he is so crucial to how Arsenal play.

Both defensively and offensively, Rice was extremely influential to his side’s latest win.

Judging by the all-action performance that the midfield dynamo put it against Palace, Mikel Arteta’s claim seems justified.

Jesus might have scored an excellent brace and his headed effort that struck the post and fell into Havertz’s path for his goal would lead many to claim that he was Arsenal’s ultimate difference-maker.

But perhaps Arsenal could have let Crystal Palace if not for Rice’s all-conquering cameo off the bench.