Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal from West Ham last summer was a significant statement.
With Manchester City circling and Champions League football on the table, Rice opted for a dynamic project over immediate success.
In a candid interview with The Athletic, Rice reveals his motivations, offering a fascinating look at his football philosophy and personal ambitions.
Last summer, a move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City seemed a real possibility for Declan Rice. The 25-year-old midfielder was tipped to join the star-studded squad and partner with Rodri, considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
Instead, Rice told City ‘no’ and signed with Arsenal, where he’s thrived under Mikel Arteta.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Rice sheds light on his decision, offering a rare glimpse into his thought process:
“I know,” he replies when asked about the possibility of lining up alongside Rodri. “But this project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we’re on to big things here.”
Despite acknowledging Rodri’s exceptional ability – “no doubt, he’s the best in the world” – he reveals a desire for a slightly less structured style and a belief in Arsenal’s unique potential.
He elaborates on the differences in their games: “With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he’s worked under Pep Guardiola for so long. He’s a lot more structured than I am. I’d say I’m a lot more off-the-cuff.”
While Rice has embraced greater tactical discipline this season, he prizes a sense of freedom and spontaneity on the pitch – a quality that may have been limited within Guardiola’s highly structured Manchester City system.
Arsenal, on the other hand, provides a platform for Rice to express himself, contribute goals and assists, and spearhead a dynamic project under Arteta.
His belief in the trajectory of the Gunners outweighed the allure of immediate trophies with an established superpower (facing 115 charges). This bold decision speaks volumes about Rice’s confidence, ambition, and desire to be a central figure in a club’s rise to success as well as Arteta’s ability to convince players about what he is doing at Arsenal.