Arsenal boss Arteta issues Rice warning ahead of emotional West Ham reunion
Mikel Arteta insists Declan Rice is already proving to be money well spent - and warned there is “much more” to come.
Gunners midfielder Rice faces his former club West Ham at the Emirates after his £105m record move across London last summer. Rice has been pivotal in Arsenal ’s impressive form this season as they look to go back to the top of the Premier League with a win over the Hammers.
It will be an emotional occasion for Rice - who played against West Ham as a substitute last month in the Carabao Cup - and Arteta says the England star has handled every challenge thrown his way, including the expectation levels of his big money move.
But Arteta does believe that Rice - who has scored three times for the Gunners this season - can add goals and more to his game. Arsenal boss Arteta said: “When they put the price-tag you have to carry that and it is not easy. He has done it in a brilliant way.
“He is a really humble guy and the way that he wants to learn and take positive criticism is really powerful. He has other levels to go. I love his presence on the pitch. He’s there and he’s got something special.
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"I felt it when I played against him, that’s why I was mad to sign him. You get a feeling about players and I wanted him to be part of our team. He is playing more as a deeper role in the last few weeks but playing as a No8 he can be an incredible player, he can be a centre back if he needs to step in if we need to.
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Declan Rice has starred for Arsenal since joining from West Ham in the summer (Getty Images)“He has shown that he has an eye for goals when he is in the opponent’s box he is a real threat. That is something that can be developed, his leadership skill the way that he will naturally grow in the team and club in the years to come, there is much more from him.”
Arsenal will leapfrog Liverpool at the top if they can beat West Ham and one of the Gunners’ most impressive performances of the season came at Anfield before Christmas.
Arteta’s men drew 1-1 but it was the way they kept their composure, created chances but also weathered the storm and atmosphere that Jurgen Klopp managed to whip up among the home fans with a pre-match call to arms.
The Emirates was loud last season and played a huge role in Arsenal’s title challenge and Arteta was keen to send a message to the fans to carry on getting behind the team to build momentum.
Arteta added: “The transformation the crowd has played in the way that the team has played and believes, in the energy the team has once they get into the stadium, is credit to them. They have transformed that.
“The players love playing at the Emirates. They feel it is a different ground to what they used to play before. I think it becomes really difficult for the opponent when we are able to generate that kind of atmosphere.
“I am sure that tomorrow will be a really powerful one, it is the last home game before the year ends and it is a big game and an opportunity for us to show how good we are together.”
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