Mikel Arteta believes that Declan Rice will have a huge effect on his Arsenal team-mates after joining from West Ham and can be ‘like a lighthouse’
Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice will have a huge effect on his Arsenal teammates after coming over from West Ham and could be ‘like a lighthouse’
- Mikel Arteta thinks new signing Declan Rice will help improve his teammates
- Rice is ready to make an impact after joining West Ham for £100m
- Arteta praised Rice’s leadership skills and supported him to “put light in others”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his ‘lighthouse’ Declan Rice will give the club a physicality that has been missing ‘for a while’ – but insists their transfer deals are not over.
On the opening day of the club’s North London US tour on Monday, the 29-man squad – including newcomers Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz – trained at George Mason University in Washington DC.
The players underwent several warm-ups and drills before entering an exhibition game behind closed doors, ahead of the game against an MLS All-Stars team coached by Wayne Rooney.
Much excitement surrounded 24-year-old Rice, with cameras focused on the £105million player’s first on-pitch action as Gunner since signing on Friday.
And Arteta further fueled that optimism in his lavish compliments on the midfielder.
Mikel Arteta believes new Arsenal signing Declan Rice could be like a ‘lighthouse’
Arteta believes Rice, who joined from West Ham, could have a huge effect on the Arsenal team
On what qualities he brings to the team, Arteta said: ‘His leadership, his charisma, the experience he already has in the league.
“He is going to take our team to another dimension.
“He also has the physical qualities that we’ve been missing for a while. That’s why we had to do what we did to get him, because it was very important to us.’
He went on to describe Rice as a “lighthouse” that can “give light” to the entire team.
“I see him (Rice) as a lighthouse, he is willing to bring light to others, improve others and make the team better,” he said.
Rice’s leadership and experience are key qualities that Arteta says will be very useful
Rice (pictured with Eddie Nketiah) will add another dimension to Arsenal, says Arteta
That’s an enormous quality. To me you have to have that to be a midfielder and he has it 100 per cent. The way he talks, the way he presents himself and the ambition and passion he has for the game is exactly what we need.”
But despite the recent signings of Rice, Timber and Havertz, Arteta hinted at selling players that could make room for more additions.
Folarin Balogun, who is on tour, has been heavily linked to Inter Milan, while Thomas Partey is in the interest of several clubs in Saudi Arabia.
He added, “Let’s see (when there are more applications), there’s still a lot of time left in the market.
“There are a lot of expectations with some of our players, so we will have to see how things develop in the coming weeks. We will be alert, there is still time to do things and of course there is still time for exits.’
Arteta says there could be further arrivals at Arsenal to add to Rice’s signing
