11 September 2023 , 18:50
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Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta was the main reason he knew he wanted to join Arsenal ahead of other clubs linked with his services, including Manchester City.
At one stage during the summer window, it looked as Rice could be heading to the Etihad to play for the reigning champions after Pep Guardiola's men submitted a bid for the midfielder. However, after Arsenal's £105million bid was accepted by West Ham, the 24-year-old got his wish and put pen to paper on a deal with the Gunners.
He has since featured in all of Arsenal's opening four Premier League games and has already sealed his place in the hearts of the Emirates faithful with his 96th-minute winner against Manchester United earlier this month. In the eyes of many, the goal marked the moment Rice truly became a Gunners player.
Things could have been very different if City had pipped Arsenal to the post and signed Rice themselves, but he has since explained why a move to the red half of North London was so appealing.
Speaking to Joe Cole as part of Channel 4's England coverage, Rice was asked by the fellow former Hammer what made him choose Arsenal. He replied: “I have to say the manager, Mikel.
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"I think from the moment that I met him I knew he was the one that I wanted to take care of the next part of my career. Just the way he spoke, his aura, the way he sees the game, the way he wants to play football.
"I think you’ve seen Arsenal, the last two years the way they have played as a team, I could really see myself fitting in and so far that decision has paid off. I feel really at home, I always had that gut feeling that Arsenal would be the club from the moment I walked in up until now."
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Declan Rice has enjoyed a stellar start to life at Arsenal (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)Shortly after, Cole pressed Rice for a comment on whether the difference in quality between his old West Ham team-mates and new Arsenal ones was obvious. He kept his answer respectful, choosing to praise some of his past colleagues.
With that being said, Rice did add: "At Arsenal, you see the season they had last year and the individuals they have, probably more national team players, I would say the biggest difference is in terms of how I have to play - you know, much more advanced, much more forward thinking."
Rice is Arsenal's most-expensive signing ever and with that title comes lofty expectations. The England international will be well aware he has been signed to help be a difference-maker and guide the Gunners to a first league title in 20 years.