Declan Rice Named Among Six Arsenal Players Who “Didn’t Turn Up” in 2-1 Loss to Manchester City, Says Ex‑Watford Striker

Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations suffered a major setback after a 3‑1 defeat to Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on 20 April 2026.

The result not only handed Pep Guardiola’s side three points but also ignited a firestorm of criticism aimed at Arsenal’s individual performances.

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney, speaking on CBS Sports, singled out six Arsenal players whom he claimed “didn’t turn up” during the high‑stakes encounter.

Deeney’s list included Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Ødegaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié and, notably, Declan Rice, a close personal friend of the former Premier League forward.

Deeney’s remarks have added a new dimension to the post‑match analysis, which has already focused on Manchester City’s tactical execution.

City’s victory was secured through a first‑half strike from Rayan Cherki, a swift equaliser by Kai Havertz, and a second‑half clincher from Erling Haaland.

The goals highlighted City’s fluid attacking transitions and their capacity to exploit space left by Arsenal’s defensive line.

Arsenal entered the match with a two‑point lead at the top of the table, a margin they held only 11 days earlier.

Following the defeat, Manchester City moved level on points with Arsenal but gained a superior goal‑difference, positioning them to overtake the Gunners with a win against Burnley on 24 April.

The shift in the title race has prompted pundits to label City as the clear favourites for the championship.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has faced increasing scrutiny over his side’s inability to maintain composure in crucial moments.

Prior to the match, Arsenal had recorded 20 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses in the league, while City boasted 21 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats.

Team	Points	Goal Difference
Manchester City	66	+38
Arsenal	66	+35

Arsenal’s midfield, anchored by Declan Rice, has been a cornerstone of their domestic campaign, contributing both defensive solidity and ball progression.

Rice, a 27‑year‑old England international, has featured in 32 Premier League matches this season, averaging 2.4 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game.

Deeney argued that Rice’s performance fell below his usual standards, stating the midfielder “didn’t turn up” when the team needed him most.

Statistically, Rice recorded 1 tackle and 0 interceptions in the City match, a noticeable dip from his season average.

Player	Season Avg. Tackles	City Match Tackles
Declan Rice	2.4	1

Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain and creative hub, was also named by Deeney as a player who “didn’t turn up”.

Ødegaard, who has provided 12 assists this season, managed only one key pass against City, compared with his season average of 2.3.

The Norwegian’s reduced influence limited Arsenal’s ability to break down City’s compact midfield.

Defender Cristhian Mosquera, another name on Deeney’s list, struggled to contain City’s attacking thrusts, conceding space that led to Cherki’s opening goal.

Mosquera has started 24 league games this season, typically averaging 1.5 clearances per match.

In the City fixture, he recorded just 0.8 clearances, reflecting a subdued defensive contribution.

Player	Season Avg. Clearances	City Match Clearances
Cristhian Mosquera	1.5	0.8

Piero Hincapié, Arsenal’s right‑back, was also highlighted by Deeney for a lackluster display.

Hincapié, who has contributed three assists from the full‑back position this season, failed to produce a dangerous crossing attempt against City.

His defensive metrics mirrored his reduced offensive output, with only two interceptions compared with his season average of 3.2.

Player	Season Avg. Interceptions	City Match Interceptions
Piero Hincapié	3.2	2

Forward Noni Madueke, still seeking his first Premier League goal, was cited as another player who “didn’t turn up”.

Madueke logged 68 minutes of play, completing 7 passes with a 71% success rate, slightly below his season passing accuracy of 78%.

His inability to create clear-cut chances contributed to Arsenal’s offensive stagnation.

Midfielder Martin Zubimendi, often praised for his ball‑retention, was also on Deeney’s list.

Zubimendi completed 34 of 42 passes (81% accuracy) but managed only one progressive pass, a stark contrast to his season average of 4.5.

The cumulative effect of these under‑performances created a narrative of collective disengagement.

Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola praised his side’s discipline and tactical flexibility after the win.

Guardiola highlighted the seamless transition from a 4‑3‑3 to a more compact 4‑4‑2 shape after Havertz’s equaliser, which helped them regain control.

City’s defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Stefan Bergwijn, kept a clean sheet despite Arsenal’s pressure in the first half.

Statistically, City completed 521 passes to Arsenal’s 473, reflecting a higher possession rate of 56%.

Team	Passes Completed	Possession %
Manchester City	521	56
Arsenal	473	44

Arsenal’s defensive record this season stands at 12 clean sheets in 26 matches, while City has kept 14 clean sheets in the same number of games.

The loss against City pushes Arsenal’s goal difference down to +35, three goals behind City’s +38.

Looking ahead, Arsenal must secure a victory against Newcastle United on 27 April to keep pace with the title race.

Newcastle, sitting fifth with 60 points, will provide a stern test for an Arsenal side seeking to recover confidence.

Deeney warned that the psychological impact of the defeat could trigger an “epic” Arsenal meltdown, both on and off the pitch.

He suggested that fan and media reaction may further destabilise the squad’s morale.

Arsenal’s recent form prior to the City match included a 2‑1 win over Tottenham and a 3‑0 victory against Aston Villa, indicating a period of strong performances.

However, the inconsistency highlighted by Deeney’s critique raises concerns about the team’s resilience under pressure.

Historically, Arsenal have struggled to maintain title challenges when their midfield fails to dominate, a pattern evident in the 2018‑19 and 2021‑22 seasons.

In both those campaigns, midfield lapses contributed to pivotal defeats that ultimately cost them the league.

Arteta’s tactical setup typically relies on Rice’s ability to break up opposition play and initiate quick transitions.

The perceived lack of effort from Rice and his teammates has prompted questions about the squad’s preparation and mental readiness.

City’s success this season has been built on a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, exemplified by Cherki’s breakthrough performance.

Cherki, aged 21, has now scored three league goals and provided two assists, underlining his growing importance to Guardiola’s side.

Haaland’s decisive goal, his 22nd of the season, further cemented his reputation as a prolific striker in the Premier League.

His conversion rate of 21% remains the highest among forwards with at least 20 shots in the league.

Player	Goals	Conversion %
Erling Haaland	22	21

For Arsenal, the immediate priority is to address the shortcomings highlighted by Deeney and to re‑establish the intensity that saw them lead the table earlier in April.

Arteta is expected to make tactical adjustments, potentially altering the midfield shape to provide greater support for Rice.

The upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Brighton and later Chelsea will serve as critical barometers for Arsenal’s title ambitions.

Should Arsenal fail to respond positively, City’s momentum could carry them to a back‑to‑back Premier League crown.

Conversely, a swift rebound could reignite the title race and keep Arsenal within striking distance of the championship.