Roy Keane has delivered his verdict on Declan Rice’s form in recent weeks – just weeks after the ex-Manchester United man questioned his leadership and mentality

Roy Keane has heaped praise on Declan Rice and claimed that the Arsenal midfielder has “stepped up to the plate” in the Premier League title run-in.

Before Arsenal went up against Manchester City last month, ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane said that Rice is not showing enough leadership for the Gunners. He added that Rice has got to “get a grip of people” as Mikel Arteta’s side wobbled in the title race.

But since the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat at City, Rice has been a standout performer. He impressed in Premier League matches against Newcastle United and Fulham, as well as both semi-final fixtures against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, winning the Player of the Match in the second leg on Tuesday.

“Without a doubt, he has stepped up to the plate,” Keane, speaking to Sky Sports, said on Rice. “Obviously I have had question marks over Declan – there is no doubting his quality but in terms of his leadership skills…

“But certainly over the last few weeks, even the reaction after the setback with the Man City game, he has stepped up to another level and that is what you want from your big players. He has certainly done that.”

“With all the demands on Arsenal, Declan is always available, he is available for every game,” Keane added.

Heading into Sunday’s showdown against West Ham, the Gunners have won three and drawn one from their last four matches. It’s a run that has seen them put their Premier League title hopes right back into their own hands, while also progressing into the Champions League final.

It does feel as though the Gunners have developed a new-found team spirit to bounce back from successive top-flight losses against Bournemouth and City, and Arteta said pre-match that they need to take that into the final four matches of the season. “It’s crucial, immense and needed, because what they can provide when we get the stadium into that emotional state, to that level of connection with the players, it’s just incredible,” the Spaniard said.

“The players described it, they’re the most important ones and they described it like they never had that feeling before in the stadium, and they make them better.”

With West Ham to come up next, the Gunners sit two points clear of second-place City with three matches to go. They face Burnley and Crystal Palace in their final two games.