Arteta was key for me to choose Arsenal: Declan Rice

The English star became Arsenal’s most expensive signing at £105m.

After an eight-season stint at West Ham United, Declan Rice was touted for a big move in order to advance his career. And with the kind of pedestal defensive midfielders have been put on in the Premier League, a no. 6 as dynamic and flexible as him was almost guaranteed to generate interest from big clubs and go for big money.

A host of big names were vying for his signature. Some big names interested in the 24-year-old were Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea. With Pep Guardiola’s side even presenting a bid worth £90m. However, one side who remined stubborn on signing him were Arsenal. Manger Mikel Arteta has been a very vocal admirer of Rice’s abilities and was set on signing him since before the transfer window began.

Arteta was in touch with Rice since before financial terms were in the picture. He was adamant on convincing Rice about Arsenal’s project and how Rice would be a perfect fit in the how Arteta sees Arsenal’s future. He was so focused on signing him that all other Arsenal signings revolved around Rice’s arrival to the Emirates. Rice is the perfect kind of midfielder who complements the attacking instincts of forwards Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Rice was convinced by Arteta’s way of thinking and a move to North London was sealed after the Gunners broke their transfer record to starve of interest from other Premier League giants.

While talking to C4 Sport, Rice talked about how Arteta was crucial in his arrival to North London. He was quoted as saying:

“Arteta was key for me to choose Arsenal”.

“The moment I met him I knew he was the one I wanted to take care of next part of my career. The way he spoke, his aura, the way he sees the game”.

“I’m so happy with my decision, I feel at home”.

Rice shared a story of how Arteta made him comfortable on his first day at Arsenal. –

“I was a bit nervous on my first day at Arsenal! Then Arteta… he put a sticker on my chest saying: Hello, I’m the new person”.

“All the under-18s & under-21s are in the canteen! I’m walking through trying to hide my chest”, told Tubes & Ange Golf Life.

Although it is still early doors in the season, Rice seems to be on the right track to pay back the faith Arteta has invested in him. He scored an injury time goal in a down to the wire clash against rivals Manchester United to put Arsenal ahead, thewy would eventually win the game 2-1.