Declan Rice says Mikel Arteta was the main reason he joined Arsenal

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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 for a club record fee of £105m in the summer
  • The midfielder says he was convinced the moment he met Mikel Arteta 
  • Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Declan Rice says that manager Mikel Arteta was the main reason that he decided to sign for Arsenal from West Ham.

The English midfielder joined the Gunners for a club-record fee of £105m in the summer.

Rice has hit the ground running and scored his first goal in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United last time out. 

Speaking in an interview with Joe Cole on Channel 4, Rice said ‘I have to say 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 the last two years the way they’ve played as a team I really saw myself fitting in. 

Mikel Arteta (left) was the main reason that Declan Rice decided to join Arsenal 

Rice was speaking to former England star Joe Cole in an interview on Channel 4

‘So far that decision has paid off. I feel really at home. I always had that gut feeling that Arsenal would be the club

‘Sometimes one journey ends and another starts,’ he added. ‘I cannot thank everyone enough there (At West Ham). It was a fairytale ending for me.

‘I’ve still paid a massive interest in them this season. I still speak to the boys regularly. I text the manager at the start of the season and said good luck boss.

Rice also spoke on the differences in his role at his new club.

‘I’s say the difference in the way I’m having to play, it’s much more advanced. Much more forward thinking.

‘Instead of sitting in a low block waiting for the counter attack it’s much more like winning the ball higher up the pitch and being more aggressive on that front.

‘I’ve always wanted to reach the top level and get every inch out of myself. Arsenal is where I see myself doing that best.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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