Rice excited over Nketiah reunion at Arsenal regardless of ‘altercation’
The England midfielder finally completed his £105million club-record transfer from West Ham on Saturday, embarking upon a primary day of coaching below Mikel Arteta at London Colney earlier than flying out together with his new team-mates for his or her pre-season tour of the United States tomorrow.
Rice’s transfer from east to north London sees him hyperlink up as soon as once more with present Gunners striker Nketiah, whom he performed alongside as a teen throughout their respective early days at Chelsea.
Rice and Nketiah memorably had an offended alternate throughout Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League win over West Ham on the London Stadium in May final 12 months, with the pair squaring up to one another after a livid melee involving each units of gamers sparked by the latter attempting to waste time late on by standing in entrance of an Aaron Cresswell free-kick.
LIVE BLOG: Follow all the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours
However, Rice insisted that was all water below the bridge now as he mirrored on the “crazy” journeys of two gamers whom he claims had been launched on the identical day by Chelsea a decade in the past, having been deemed not ok to make the grade at Stamford Bridge.
“I played with Eddie from under-nines to under-14s,” Rice instructed Arsenal’s official web site of his relationship with Nketiah. “We were both released on the same day and it’s crazy where football takes you, your journey.
“He’s made it through the ranks at Arsenal, I made it through the ranks at West Ham. Now we get to link back up again.
“I’ve always loved Eddie, even though we had that little altercation on the pitch before! I’ve always loved him and been close to his family. His dad is a top, top guy who used to come on all the tours with us as kids, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie again and of course the other boys.”
Rice becoming a member of Arsenal may also see him hyperlink up with a number of of his present England team-mates, together with Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White.
“Yeah, it’s going to be an honour,” he added. “There are some unbelievable players I’ve played with at international level and now I get to share those same duties at club level.
Altercation: Declan Rice and Eddie Nketiah squared up during Arsenal’s win over West Ham
/ IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images“All of them have spoken so highly about the club – how each and every one of them have improved under the manager. When you hear things like that, you really take it in your stride and listen.
“You’ve got players like Saks, who’s now one of the best wingers in the world. There’s Rammers, who is one of the best keepers. You’ve got Whitey at right-back, who was unreal last year.
“There’s [Emile] Smith Rowe and so many in the squad. They all speak so glowingly of the club and the direction it’s been going in the last few years, so it’s really exciting.”