Mikel Arteta hasn’t been short of warm words for Declan Rice since he signed from West Ham and the boss is convinced the England international can add even more to his game.
Signed for a fee that could rise as high as £105 million, there were plenty questioning whether such a huge price tag would weigh heavy on his shoulders.
As is his style on the pitch, he’s barged those assumptions out of the way, floored his doubters and wrestled control of the narrative. After 26 appearances, countless man-of-the-match performances and two decisive stoppage time contributions, Gunners supporters view him as a bargain.
“When they put that price tag on you, you have to carry that and it’s not easy,” said Arteta ahead of Rice’s second reunion with former club West Ham.
“He’s done it in a brilliant way. He’s a really humble guy. And the way he wants to learn, I think he’s done it in a brilliant way, the way he takes positive criticism, I think it’s really powerful.
“He’s got another level to go. I think we’re playing him in more of a deeper role now in the last few weeks, but as well playing as an eight, I think he can be an incredible player.
“He can be a centre-back sometimes stepping in if we need him and he has shown that he’s got an eye for goals. When he’s in the opponent’s box he’s a real threat, so that’s something that can be developed still I think.
“His leadership skill as well, the way that he will naturally grow within the team, within the club in the years to come. I think there is much more to come.”
Asked if he had a specific example of Rice taking onboard ‘positive criticism’, he continued: “Well, every time you switch on the TV and they’re talking about Arsenal, they will be talking about Declan and obviously, at the beginning, there were a lot of question marks.
“It’s something that you have to overcome because they’re going to be looking at every start, every movement that you make.
“Then when things work, take it [the praise] but take it in a way that is constructive and put it in the context that from game to game, from action to action, this can change very quickly. He is very, very intelligent to manage that.”
It certainly sounds like Arteta’s appreciation stretches back some time. While Arteta had hung up his playing boots before Rice made his senior debut for the Hammers, it appears the Spaniard was keeping close tabs on him while coaching at Manchester City.
“I love his presence on the pitch. He’s there and it’s something special. I felt it when I played against him [at City], that’s why I was mad to sign him, because you get that feeling about players and I wanted him to be part of our team.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Rice copes with facing his former teammates. While he came on as a sub in the Carabao Cup defeat earlier in the season, the game was already gone by the time he took to the field and there wasn’t much time to make an impact.
We suspect he’ll be fine tonight.
Vieira finally replaced. The DM position post invincibles was Wenger’s achilles heel. He starved us of a competent DM who can break up play and mop up the lose stuff.
Xhaka almost.
Peak flame and song?
gilberto silva would like a word here.
Different formation, but Patrick whilst physical was normally the more attacking of the pairing. Petit, Grimaldi, Edu and Gilberto were all more of the ‘DM’. Paddy would be the ‘left 8’ these days.
Yeah, still haunted by those Yann Mvilla rumours, and those glorious few months Coquelin looked like the real deal. There was the brief Chambers at DM debacle. Did Alex Song count as a DM when he had that one great year. Flamini didn’t look too bad during his first spell, his second spell was fun for a bit when he was kicking people around then he became a liability. It been a wild ride and I’m living for this Rice era, what a man.
Arguably our best player so far this season,,, long may it continue.
I hope Havertz and Timber compete with Rice as MA’s best signing eventually! What a joy and a team we will have.
Well done Declan!
Well done Arteta and staff for scouting and signing this beaut.
I guess not haha.
Well done to Josh and Stan too.
Arsenal Player of the season so far 💪💪
err Saliba
Anyone agree?
We dish Liverpool a blow in next two matches we play against them, ( both at home), and then it’s a straight shootout between us and City for the title.
You read it here first……⚽️
Lets beat West Ham first!
You’ve neglected to take into account the pgmol
So happy he got his man. It shows the strength of Artetas conviction. He knew that Rice was the one and went and got him. The confidence from the managers side can’t be understated. No doubt it’s given Rice the perfect foundation to succeed as quickly as he has.
I don’t know if we’ll ever see a Partey / Rice midfield partnership, but I feel like this would allow both players to reach their absolute peak.
I think we forgot how great Partey is.
Hoping the negative reaction he’s likely to get from his former side fans doesn’t impact his performance tonight, for when he came on in that CC game he did look out of sorts, maybe it being the 1st time at London stadium in an opposite shirt his legs got heavier, our support will drown out the bubbles booing him anyway, more than happy for him to score with no celebration..
That man is single handedly making the difference to win the league. Clearances off the line, last minute winners and breaking up play constantly and consistently. Wins every duel it feels like.
Love him.
“We suspect he’ll be fine tonight.” this aged well…