Declan Rice claims Mikel Arteta was the reason he decided to join Arsenal over Chelsea and Manchester City
English superstar Declan Rice explained that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta helped him convince to join the Gunners over Manchester City and Chelsea in the recently concluded summer transfer window.
Chelsea and Arsenal were the top admirers of Rice, but the Gunners won the race to recruit the England international for a £105 million deal with West Ham United. It gives Arteta a major force in the middle of the park as he aims to challenge Manchester City for the title.
City tried to make a late swoop for the 24-year-old as they made a £105 million offer to West Ham, who turned down the bid. Arsenal were the favourites to sign the midfielder and were pushing for his move to Emirates Stadium. In the end, they got their man.
The deal eventually came to fruition, as the Hammers agreed to sell the former Chelsea academy player. Rice later revealed Arteta was a key factor in his decision to join Arsenal, as he told Channel 4 (h/t Metro):
‘’I have to say the manager, Mikel. I think just from the moment that I met him, I knew he was the one I wanted to take on 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, and I think we’ve seen Arsenal the way they’ve played the last two years, the way they’ve played as a team, I really see myself fitting in.”
While we can understand Rice’s sentiment, Chelsea should have shown more seriousness if they were really keen on Rice. After all, him being a graduate of Cobham should have helped us at least a little.
Although Rice is aware of which London team has had the most success, it was his choice to join Arsenal, which is understandable. He should have chosen us, where he began his career as a young player if he wanted to win trophies. However, the Gunners have made immense strides under Mikel Arteta and are now viewed as title contenders following years of growth. Rice’s arrival at their club only strengthens them more.
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Meanwhile, we have signed Rice alternative Moises Caicedo, who is also as good as Rice but still has room for development. Hopefully, fans and board members will back Mauricio Pochettino for his ambitions, just as Arsenal fans supported Arteta over the years.