'Worth the wait': BBC pundit blown away by 'pace and precision' of Arsenal player who didn't score tonight

Yesterday at 04:53 PM

Arsenal made it two wins and eight goals from their last two games as they ran out 5-1 winners over Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Gunners, fresh from hammering Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League at the weekend, were equally as clinical against the Lisbon giants at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring after just seven minutes before Kai Havertz made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute as Arsenal ran riot against Sporting.

The Gunners then made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time as Gabriel Magalhaes was left unmarked to head home from a Declan Rice corner.

Although Sporting pulled one back through Goncalo Inacio, Bukayo Saka restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead from the penalty spot on 65 minutes.

And seven minutes from time, Leandro Trossard nodded into the net after Franco Israel initially kept out a Mikel Merino effort for a resounding 5-1 win.

During the match, BBC Sport pundit Leon Osman raved about what Rice did which he said was “worth the wait”.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta says one Arsenal player is now 'much more composed' than before

Leon Osman says Declan Rice set-piece was ‘worth the wait’ as Arsenal made it 3-0 v Sporting

Osman hailed Rice for the set-piece he took which led to Gabriel’s goal, saying it was delivered with “real pace and precision”.

“Declan Rice waited an age to take that set-piece, but it was worth the wait,” Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It was whipped in with real pace and precision to give Gabriel the opportunity to guide it into the goal, using the pace of the ball.

“It’s brilliant from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.”

What the media said about Rice display v Sporting

The Daily Express gave Rice an 8 out of 10 rating and wrote: “His creativity goes under the radar.

“Just as effective in the opponents’ half as his own. Pinpoint assist for Martinelli’s opener.”

Likewise, football.london went with an 8 out of 10 and wrote: ‘Got forward really well on the night. Constantly a threat in the opposition box.

‘A little wild with his finishing but still a good return to the side.’

Plenty of other Arsenal players impressed on the night, with Jurrien Timber getting particularly high praise from Gunners fans for his wonderful display.

Arsenal are next in action on Saturday night when they face West Ham United in a Premier League match at the London Stadium.