"We put our body on the line to get the three points" - Declan Rice delighted with 10-man Arsenal win over Crystal Palace

Declan Rice was a relieved man after Arsenal scraped through to a narrow 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Monday (August 21).

Eddie Nketiah once again justified his selection in the starting XI, winning a penalty seven minutes into the second half. Martin Odegaard made no mistake from the spot to hand his team the advantage at Selhurst Park.

Things got tricky after Takehiro Tomiyasu's sending-off for a second bookable offence in the 67th minute. With more than 20 minutes left, Arsenal had a tough task to hold onto their narrow lead in a daunting atmosphere.

They did just that, thoughm managing their third consecutive win against the Eagles in the Premier League. A pleased Rice told Sky Sports (h/t BBC):

"You look at the clock and there was 20 minutes to go and against a young athletic side, it is tough. If you want to be up at the top at the end of the season, you have to show character and pluck out three points.

"I think it was a massive relief to get through them 20 minutes. We know what it is like at Selhurst Park, and we controlled the game completely until we went down to 10 men. We put our body on the line to get the three points."

After dominating the game in the first half, the Gunners had a mixed second 45 minutes. After Tomiyasu's sending-off, the hosts kept 74.5% of the ball and managed seven shots while Arsenal recorded none.

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Declan Rice talks about his role at Arsenal after Crystal Palace win

Declan Rice was key in Arsenal keeping a clean sheet against Crystal Palace away from home.

The England international, signed for £105 million from West Ham United this summer, made two clearances and four recoveries. He won the solitary tackle he attempted and completed 90% of his 60 attempted passes (h/t FotMob).

On his role in Mikel Arteta's midfield, Rice said, via the aforementioned source:

"Against Nottingham Forest, we played a diamond, and, tonight, I was the single pivot and dropped back. The last four weeks, I have learned so much, I am learning how we play as team and I am testing myself. I am eager to keep learning."

Rice largely played in a double pivot at West Ham but will have to adapt to different roles under Arteta, who tinkers with his system every now and then. The 24-year-old's next task will be to help his team secure all three points in a home league game against Fulham on Saturday (August 26).