Rice reveals ‘massive factor’ in Arsenal transfer to take him to subsequent stage
After weeks of ready and fervent day by day switch hypothesis, the England midfielder finally sealed his blockbuster £105million change from West Ham to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with Arsenal having agreed the exact fee construction for his or her new club-record switch.
Rice – whose high-profile transfer additionally represents a file for a switch between two English golf equipment – follows Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz in an early £200m summer season spending spree by the Gunners, who have been keen for his or her new signings to be accomplished as swiftly as attainable on this window so that they might be allowed most time to gel with their new team-mates forward of a season that they hope will produce one other Premier League title problem as additionally they return to the Champions League for the primary time since 2016/17.
The 24-year-old was delighted to lastly wrap up the deal as he skilled for the primary time at London Colney on Saturday, forward of the Arsenal squad flying out to the United States on Sunday afternoon for a pre-season tour that features pleasant matches towards an MLS All-Star XI, Manchester United and Barcelona.
Speaking in his first interview with Arsenal’s official web site, Rice opened up on how the presence of Arteta had performed such a key function in his choice to choose Arsenal amid rival curiosity from the likes of Treble winners Manchester City.
In footage: Declan Rice joins Arsenal
“I’m so excited – he [Arteta] speaks for himself,” Rice mentioned. “You see how he works – you got a real insight into how he works on the Amazon documentary, how he works with his players and not only as a coach, but psychologically how good he is with players, how he improves players. He’s a massive factor in the reason why I’ve come here.
“I know he’s going to get the best out of me. I know I’ve got more levels to go up in my game, and I feel like he’s the manager to take me to those next levels. I’m really excited to be working with him.”
Expanding extra on why he was so eager to affix Arsenal this summer season, Rice added: “I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on.
“Not last season but the season before, they finished fifth but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing. Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Man City.
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“With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me.
“I know the fans really want that. For me as a player, I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.”