Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Declan Rice scored his fifth goal of the season in Arsenal's win over Bayer Leverkusen.
ByAlex HowellArsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium- Published18 March 2026, 00:11 GMT
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Declan Rice is called "The Horse" by his Arsenal team-mates and his performance in the 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen again showed why he has more than earned that nickname.
Rice's season has been defined by all-action 90-minute displays for Arsenal - the fact he never stops running leading to Bukayo Saka and others handing him the nickname - and he's producing them every three days as his side chase silverware on four fronts.
The England midfielder curled a powerful shot into the bottom corner for Arsenal's second on Tuesday night, giving the Gunners a two-goal aggregate lead with less than 30 minutes left that allowed Mikel Arteta to rest some key players with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday in mind.
But one player who stayed on the pitch as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate was the 27-year-old Rice.
Rice has played the third-most minutes of any outfielder in all competitions for Arsenal - behind midfield partner Martin Zubimendi and the now-injured Jurrien Timber - starting in 37 of his 43 appearances this term.
His goal against Leverkusen - adding to Eberechi Eze's powerful first-half strike - was his fifth in all competitions this season and he has registered 11 assists, with his excellent delivery from corners a key weapon for the Gunners.
"I'm shattered, it's non-stop." Rice told TNT Sport afterwards. "We're in all the competitions still so it's been every three days since October.
"We deal with it best we can but it's difficult. We find ways to win and it's all good. Everyone asks where I get my energy from. I just get this second burst of energy."
Rice scored two iconic free-kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of this competition last season and his powerful side-footed finish against Leverkusen came from outside the area too.
Rice's ball-striking and delivery is a real strength and eight of his 21 goals for Arsenal have come from outside the box, including his three most recent goals in the Champions League.
"I stepped in front of him [the Leverkusen defender], the first touch set me up for everything, there was nowhere else to go so I just went for it," Rice said of his goal.
"You find it in your belly somewhere to keep on fighting, to make the tackles, to win."
Rice part of 'soul of the team'
Rice and Zubimendi are one of the key partnerships in the Arsenal team.
The pair run the midfield and their importance has risen with captain Martin Odegaard's injury issues this season.
Both midfielders were given a rare rest in the win over Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round but with crunch games coming thick and fast, their availability is going to be key.
They provide a solid base in front of the Arsenal back four and Rice's running power and ability to be effective at both ends of the pitch were on show again during the win over Leverkusen.
"He was immense," Arteta said. "Him and the whole team. I just mentioned that, the soul of the team.
"The manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show in every action is remarkable. And doing it every three days at that level is so difficult."
That sentiment was matched by former Arsenal defender Matt Upson speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I don't think Declan Rice gets much of a break, he features in nearly every game and keeps churning out the performance. It's pretty remarkable stuff, physically, he's an absolute machine," said Upson.
Arteta's side are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and through to the same stage of the FA Cup.
Arsenal have not won a trophy for six years and have a chance to end that drought against Manchester City on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
"We need to be up for it. We have the momentum at the minute," added Rice.
"Every time we play, we have the momentum and feel like we can win. When we go to Wembley, everyone will be behind us and we'll be ready.
"There's no time to think about what's going on, we just keep playing matches. The more you keep winning, the more the energy stays high and you enjoy it."
