Declan Rice says playing under manager Mikel Arteta was the main reason that he joined Arsenal as midfielder reveals he ‘knew the moment I met him’
- Declan Rice joined Arsenal in the summer for a club record fee of £105 million
- The midfielder says he was convinced the moment he met Mikel Arteta
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast It all starts!
Declan Rice says manager Mikel Arteta was the main reason he decided to sign for Arsenal from West Ham.
The England midfielder joined the Gunners this summer for a club record fee of £105 million.
Rice has made a flying start, scoring his first goal in the 3-1 win over Manchester United last time out.
In an interview with Joe Cole on Channel 4, Rice said: ‘I have to tell the manager’ when asked why he joined Arsenal.
‘The way he sees the game, the way he wants to play football. I think you’ve seen Arsenal over the last two years the way they’ve played as a team that I could really see myself fitting into.
Mikel Arteta (left) was the main reason Declan Rice decided to join Arsenal
Rice spoke to former England star Joe Cole in an interview on Channel 4
“So far, that decision has paid off. I really feel at home. I always had a gut feeling that Arsenal would be the club
“Sometimes one journey ends and another begins,” he added. ‘I can’t thank everyone there (at West Ham) enough. For me it was a fairytale ending.
‘I’m still very interested in it this season. I still speak to the boys regularly. I texted the manager at the start of the season and said good luck boss.
Rice also spoke about the differences in his role at his new club.
“I say the difference in the way I have to play is much more advanced. Much more thinking ahead.
‘Rather than sitting in a low block waiting for the counter-attack, it’s a lot more about winning the ball higher up the pitch and being more aggressive on that front.
‘I have always wanted to reach the highest level and get the most out of myself. I see myself performing best at Arsenal.’
