Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has hit back at the people in the media who criticised him this season.

Rice was often chastised for not scoring enough goals from midfield, but has added that element to his game.

The Englishman spoke about his role in the team and the importance of popping up with vital strikes.

"No, not really," Rice said speaking to The Athletic about the criticism being unfair.

"Because Roy Keane, (Graeme) Souness, (Jamie) Redknapp, people that talk about my goalscoring ability, if you looked at their goals, they didn't score hundreds in their career.

"But they're remembered for what they did as midfield players: Roy Keane breaking up play, being a hard-tackling midfielder, won loads of titles for United.

"The same with Souness. So I don't know why when it comes to me it's all about goals, because it's never been my game. Since I've been scoring, no one has said anything!"

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Panthers claw way to 2-0 Stanley Cup Final lead with win over Oilers
Dan Hurley's decision gives UConn another win, lets fans exhale
USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter under fire as Copa America draws near
Four hot issues ahead of Paris Olympics
Kyrie Irving is letting Luka Doncic down in NBA Finals
Forecasting a potentially surprising cut for every AFC team
Forecasting a potentially surprising cut for every NFC team
Five underrated MLB trade chips contenders should consider targeting
Jordan Love believes Packers 'don't have to have a No. 1 receiver'
Week 16 NASCAR power rankings: Kyle Larson reclaims frontrunner status with Sonoma win
U.S. Open: Five players you should have your eye on at Pinehurst
Stars' Jim Nill wins NHL GM of the Year award for second straight season
Pirates release veteran right-hander
Steelers sign second-round OL, complete rookie signings
Hurricanes reportedly looking to fill vacant GM role internally
WNBA experienced viewership and attendance surge in May
MLB players name the ‘most overrated player’ in the league
White Sox catcher undergoes season-ending surgery
Report: Lakers HC job viewed negatively within NBA
One player makes bizarre choice for 'most overrated' colleague