By: Sports Desk for GhanaianNewsCanada 2/2/2026
Bruno Fernandes congratulated Declan Rice on social media after the Arsenal star achieved a special milestone
The Manchester United captain put club rivalry aside to send a warm message to the former West Ham captain
United recently beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium in their recent upturn of fortunes since Michael Carrick’s arrival
Bruno Fernandes sent a heartfelt message to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after he hit an important milestone in the Premier League.
Fernandes put aside Premier League rivalry to congratulate Rice, who is arguably one of the best midfielders in the world.
Why did Bruno Fernandes congratulate Declan Rice?
Rice starred in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, which allowed them to end a winless streak of three matches in the league.
Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus all scored a goal apiece to allow the Gunners extend their lead at the top to six points.
Rice, who featured for the entire 90 minutes, not only celebrated the win but also reached 300 Premier League appearances. Of the 300, 204 came during his time at West Ham United before he made the switch to North London.
After the game at Elland Road, he shared a series of snaps on Instagram with a modest caption of ‘300 premier league appearances’ to which Fernandes said, ‘class’.
Fernandes has 216 league appearances for Manchester United.
The message comes only a week after Fernandes’ side stunned Rice’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha handed the hosts their first home defeat since March 2025.
United followed that win with another dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday, where a stoppage-time goal from Benjamin Sesko spared their blushes of throwing away a two-goal lead.
The Red Devils are now up to fourth place with 41 points, 12 behind the leaders, Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta reacts after Leeds United win
Speaking after the win over Leeds United, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction in his side getting back to winning ways.
“The mentality is good, and to play with that level of enjoyment about where we are, and then with the conviction to believe in what we do and how good we are, and that we can beat any opponent, and we certainly have done that. But then you have to show the quality as well in this league to do it, and it came out in great ways from different players as well,” he said via Arsenal’s website.
Bukayo Saka’s injury update
Arteta also provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal star tweaked something during warm-up.
The England international was supposed to start the game alongside Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard, but hobbled off during the warm-up sessions.
He was replaced by Madueke, who went on to grab his first Premier League goal involvements for Arsenal.
