![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/gary-lineker-united-in-agreement-with-graeme-souness-over-declan-rice-criticism/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_MIRRORRICEBLEND.jpg&description=The Match of the Day presenter has heaped praise on Arsenal new boy Declan Rice, but made clear he should be looking to score more goals - just like Souness claimed last month Gary Lineker has waxed lyrical about Arsenal's newest recruit Declan Rice, but has also called on the midfielder to try and score more goals this season. The Gunners broke the British transfer record to pry Rice away from London rivals West Ham for an eye-watering fee of £105million. The 24-year-old has already featured for Mikel Arteta's side in a number of pre-season friendlies, but is on the verge of his toughest test in an Arsenal shirt to date when they meet Manchester City at Wembley for the Community Shield. Given the astronomical price-tag, the weight of expectation on Rice is heavy. He has been purchased with a view to anchoring the Arsenal midfield for many years to come and Lineker feels the England ace will be just fine coping with the pressure. The Match of the Day presenter told The Sun: "He is an exceptional player — a holding midfielder but also far more than that. Rice is a real leader, who will run all day, a player who can break the lines and make things happen with the ball at his feet. "Of course, £105million is a massive fee but he will not have the same pressure as a forward player who moves for big money because they are constantly judged on their scoring record." Rice's defensive prowess is undeniable and Arsenal will no doubt make full use of them, but the idea of the former Hammers' captain being deployed in a role that will see him contribute more in an attacking sense is one that has been widely discussed. HAVE YOUR SAY!How many goals should Rice be aiming to score for Arsenal this season? Comment below Lineker has touched on the topic, insisting that Rice needs to improve his numbers when it comes to finding the back of the net. "I'd like to see Rice add more goals to his game but nobody is expecting that of him," the ex-Three Lions ace added. Well, the idea that){kind=link}
The Match of the Day presenter has heaped praise on Arsenal new boy Declan Rice, but made clear he should be looking to score more goals – just like Souness claimed last month
Gary Lineker has waxed lyrical about Arsenal’s newest recruit Declan Rice, but has also called on the midfielder to try and score more goals this season.
The Gunners broke the British transfer record to pry Rice away from London rivals West Ham for an eye-watering fee of £105million. The 24-year-old has already featured for Mikel Arteta’s side in a number of pre-season friendlies, but is on the verge of his toughest test in an Arsenal shirt to date when they meet Manchester City at Wembley for the Community Shield.
Given the astronomical price-tag, the weight of expectation on Rice is heavy. He has been purchased with a view to anchoring the Arsenal midfield for many years to come and Lineker feels the England ace will be just fine coping with the pressure.
The Match of the Day presenter told The Sun: “He is an exceptional player – a holding midfielder but also far more than that. Rice is a real leader, who will run all day, a player who can break the lines and make things happen with the ball at his feet.