-
Declan Rice explains decision to snub Man United, Man City and Chelsea to join Arsenal in £105 summer transfer.
Declan Rice explained that he joined Arsenal in order to work with manager Mikel Arteta because he believes that Arteta is responsible for “looking after” his career.
Since the Gunners finished as runners-up in the Premier League last season, Rice has emphasized that his decision to join Arsenal was made because he has complete faith in Arteta. United, Chelsea, and City all expressed interest in the England star, but it appears that the appeal of working with the Spaniard was too great for the player to pass up.
Speaking to Joe Cole on Channel Four before the Three Lions played Ukraine, Rice was asked why he chose to move to the Emirates and replied: “I have to say the manager, Mikel.”
“From the moment that I met him I knew he was the one that I wanted to take care of the next part of my career and I just had that gut feeling that Arsenal would bet he club even though there was other interest.
“No (there has not been a big jump up in quality at Arsenal), towards the end of my time at West Ham the players we had were unbelievable. But I would say the difference is the way now I’m having to play is much more advanced (up the pitch).”
Rice has started each of the Gunners’ games so far this season, and he even scored in the frantic 3-1 victory over Manchester United before the break.
In an international friendly on Tuesday in honour of the 150th anniversary of the oldest international football match ever, Rice is likely to take the field for England against Scotland.