Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice still has more levels to reach at Arsenal, despite a run of performances that has already placed the midfielder among the standout players in Europe this season.
Rice was man of the match in last Sunday’s win over Tottenham and again in the Champions League victory against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, as Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Signed for a club-record £105 million after long-term interest while at West Ham, and a player Chelsea had released at youth level in 2013, Rice has quickly become central to Arteta’s side.
“Being with him every single day, understanding and connecting with him in the way I have done… we are going to get more,” said Arteta.
“Because he wants more, the team knows him better, his role is growing around the team.
“The impact he has on the team, it’s huge.”
Rice has scored two goals in 19 appearances this season, and Arteta acknowledged that further development will depend on how his role continues to evolve.
“That will vary related to the position and the spaces he occupies, but there will be other areas he will evolve,” he added.
Arteta also suggested that Rice has already surpassed even his own expectations since arriving in north London.
He said: “I don’t think you have to be a genius, you know?
“I knew him for a long time, and I knew how he could evolve and change the team. He has certainly done it, and probably improved on those expectations.
“If you have the option to see a player live and sense him, and get that energy, presence and charisma, on top of his qualities, it’s something else.
“Probably when he was around, I said, ‘Hmm, that’s a special player’.”