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DECLAN RICE was Arsenal’s gritty hero as they clung on for a 0-0 draw in Sunday’s tame top-three clash. The England midfielder again showed he is worth all his £105million summer fee by edging his duel with outstanding counterpart Rodri in midfield.Declan Rice kept opposite number Rodri quiet in midfieldCredit: RexRice’s midfield partner Martin Odegaard was not his usual creative selfCredit: GettyMeanwhile, Ben White again showed he could be a big miss for England as the Gunners stood firm in defence.But there were some question marks further forward for Mikel Arteta’s men, especially as playmaker Martin Odegaard was kept quiet.Here’s how Arsenal rated as they dug in for a point at the Etihad.David Raya – 6Had an incredibly quiet afternoon. Most read in FootballAnnoyed the home crowd in what they saw as time wasting and he was finally booked for doing so in the 79th minute. Ben White – 8Back after his short break in Dubai and looked as though it had done him some good – while some of the other players who had been on international duty looked tired.William Saliba – 7Rarely put a foot wrong. Some key blocks and tackles and held firm under the late pressure. Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil shows off ‘phenomenal’ body transformation and bulging bicepsGabriel Magalhaes – 7Cracking battle with Erling Haaland and generally came out the winner. Class. Most read in FootballJakub Kiwior – 7Has featured at left-back during Arsenal’s decent recent run and was once again solid and did a good job against Bernardo Silva. Martin Odegaard – 6Not one of his greatest games as he struggled to open up City’s defence. Jorginho – 7Did OK in central midfield but was subbed as Arteta wanted a bit more energy. Declan Rice – 8Impressive for Arsenal and enjoyed his fascinating battle with City counterpart Rodri. He came out the better of the two. Bukayo Saka tangles with Kevin De Bruyne but was often crowded outCredit: APBukayo Saka – 6 Struggled to find much space in the first half but set up a great chance for Jesus before hobbling off injured.Kai Havertz – 5Had an early collision with keeper Ortega when he could have done a lot better. Had little service, though. 5Gabriel Jesus – 6The former City striker missed a golden chance at the start of the second half. Jeered by some City fans – and applauded by others- when subbed for Trossard. SubsTomiyasu (for Kiwior 66 mins) 6 Partey (for Jorginho 66 mins) 6 Trossard (for Jesus 72 mins) 6 Martinelli (for Saka 78 mins) 6 More

PAUL DICKOV is the type of cult hero Manchester City hoped they would never need.Because he’s the ex-Arsenal youth who saved City from remaining in the THIRD TIER during their darkest, daftest days of the 1990s – with a stoppage-time Wembley goal.Paul Dickov helped Man City climb back from the the third tier to the PremCredit: GettyThe frontman was just a bit-part player at first club ArsenalCredit: RexAnd even Dickov wonders if Sheikh Mansour’s transformational takeover of the club in 2008 would still have happened had he not scored his stunner nine years earlier.The Scot completed City’s late comeback from 2-0 down in the old Division Two play-off final with a 95th-minute strike past Gillingham keeper Vince Bartram – who had been the BEST MAN at his wedding!Joe Royle’s men went on to win 3-2 on penalties – earning an instant return to what was then Division One and is now the Championship.That memorable day in May 1999 came midway through Dickov’s six years at City – the same length of time he spent at first club Arsenal.READ MORE TOP STORIESBut he never came close to a regular Premier League spot with the Gunners.And following loan spells at Luton and Brighton he left Arsenal for City in August 1996 – two months before Arsene Wenger arrived for his golden 22-year reign in North London.Dickov was signed by 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball but played under FIVE bosses in his first year at the old Maine Road stadium.The situation got so crazy that at one time City had 56 players – only settling down once Royle took charge in February 1998 and nearly kept them in the second flight.Most read in FootballHe did take them back to that level the following season, however – aided by Dickov’s Wembley glory – and they returned to the Prem in the striker’s final campaign at the club.The 5ft 5ins star went on to play for Leicester and Blackburn before returning to City from 2006-2008 – albeit now at the Etihad.Will Pugh and Rob Maul discuss Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool’s chances in the Premier League title raceTemporary stints with Crystal Palace and Blackpool followed before a second two-year spell with the Foxes.But although Dickov’s gritty style made him popular almost everywhere he went, it’s at City where he has a unique standing – as the little man who helped make them big again.In fact, the 10-cap Scotland ace believes his dramatic play-off intervention has only grown in importance now that current manager Pep Guardiola has cemented the club’s rise to the very top.Dickov told The Guardian in 2019: “If anything it’s been magnified more by the success. “Maybe 10 years ago fans would stop in the street, thank us for the goal in the game and that would be it. “Now, the club are dominating football and with the football that they are playing it makes it more iconic and nicer for the fans to think that 20 years ago we were there, 20 years later we’re winning Premier Leagues and breaking all sort of records.“I dread to think what might have happened if we hadn’t have won. If you believe what people were saying, the club would have really struggled.”And of inflicting anguish on the pitch on his best man, Dickov added:  “There is nothing better than getting one over your mate or reminding him of it a few years later.” More