HAVING fallen short at the final hurdle in their push for the Premier League title, Arsenal ended last season with an emphatic 5-0 victory at home to Wolves.
Boss Mikel Arteta stood on the Emirates pitch with microphone in hand at full-time and thanked the fans for their support, and vowed to go one better in the next campaign.
Declan Rice was Arsenal’s star signing last summerGetty
GettyRice has become a fans’ favourite since his move from Arsenal to West Ham[/caption]
The midfielder in Arsenal training just after his moveGetty
Rice is popular with his team-mates, including Leandro TrossardGetty
The Spaniard then told the media: “You can sense the connection between the supporters and the team. Together we have reconnected with the soul of this football club, and the soul is our people, our fans.
“We know the destination is to bring success and trophies to this club, but we cannot forget what a special group of players this is.”
Arteta’s challenge in the upcoming transfer window was to recruit players with that firmly in mind – those who would not only bring title-winning quality, but also an energy and aura that complimented a Gunners squad already brimming in confidence and positive vibes.
Six months on from his £105million North London arrival, and Declan Rice has already proven to fit the bill, and then some. It is now hard to imagine Arsenal without him.
Rice, 25, said recently: “I’ve not been at Arsenal long, but the club has made so much progress on and off the pitch. There is a new connection with the supporters.
“That’s happened because the club has stuck together, trusted youth, invested and had a clear process. The fans can see that vision and that’s why there is a feeling of togetherness.”
Aside from his footballing quality, Arteta – a coach renowned for doing several background checks on a player before signing – knew exactly what he was getting with Rice, having studied his personality and charisma for around four years in the build-up to the move.
Following the departure of Mark Noble as West Ham skipper at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, there was no question Rice would take on the armband in East London.
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His leadership skills were labelled “impeccable” by Hammers manager David Moyes, and his relationship with every player, regardless of their background or nationality, was a huge factor in that.
It played a massive role in West Ham’s journey to lifting the Europa Conference League trophy in his one and only season as captain, bonding seamlessly with an incredibly diverse dressing room, including Brazilian Lucas Paqueta, Algerian Said Benrahma and Englishman Jarrod Bowen, all of whom shone in the Prague final.
That trend has continued in the Arsenal camp, with Rice revealing he has grown close to Brazilian pair Gabriel and Gabriel Jesus, England teammate Aaron Ramsdale and Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko, while also spending time playing darts with Belgian winger and good friend Leandro Trossard.
Rice’s personality is said to have shone through immediately, starting on the club’s tour of the States in July, where he showcased both his humour and bubbly nature – singing his initiation song “Ice Ice Baby” – as well as his focus and determination.
Rice has not been afraid to put his foot down when required, with replays showing him reprimanding Gabriel after a mistake during their 2-1 defeat by Fulham on New Year’s Day, while Rice has also fronted up to the cameras on numerous occasions after tough results, something Arteta highly respects and admires.
Rice explained: “[My team-mates] have taught me so much. Take me and Gabriel for example. We’re both completely different personalities from completely different backgrounds.
“We play football in a different way too, but we learn so much from each other and we’ve formed a really good friendship. It is what I love about the Premier League and Arsenal.
“It’s such a multicultural environment and everyone understands and respects it. There’s not one player here who doesn’t get along with everyone else.
“That’s what makes this group so special. If you look at which teams have won the Premier League over the last 20 years or so, there’s always diversity in backgrounds.
I spend a lot of time with the staff here, but honestly, I don’t see them as staff. I don’t like dividing them. We’re all part of the team and I see everyone as my friend.
Declan Rice
“I look around and these are the people I want to win stuff and have a long career with.”
Rice’s appreciation and respect for a club he plays for is born from his insistence on immersing himself in its history and culture whenever and wherever he can.
At West Ham, you would often find him spending his free time at the Chadwell Heath academy training ground, offering advice and tips to the younger age groups.
When West Ham’s U18s beat Arsenal’s U18s in the FA Youth Cup final at the Emirates back in April, Rice was in the stands – and later seen dancing and celebrating with the teenagers in the away dressing room.
Rice has continued that side of his personality at Arsenal, even in the small details, such as learning the names of the kitchen staff and draping his personal box at the Emirates in Arsenal memorabilia, including a picture of his celebration after scoring his first Prem goal for the club – an injury time winner against Manchester United in September.
For the club’s community project ‘No More Red’ against knife crime in the capital, Rice was one of the few Arsenal players who came forward to speak about its importance having been involved in promoting the all-white commemorative shirt, worn against Liverpool in the FA Cup earlier this month.
In their recent week-long warm-weather training camp in Dubai, Rice bonded with the coaches and staff with friendly games of pool in the evenings after a club BBQ.
He added: “I spend a lot of time with the staff here, but honestly, I don’t see them as staff. I don’t like dividing them. We’re all part of the team and I see everyone as my friend.
“I want them to be able to come to me and speak honestly and have a laugh too.”
Much like Moyes – his former boss at Everton – Arteta likes players who have settled down, married and/or with kids. Rice’s maturity has accelerated after the birth of his son Jude back in August with childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer.
Despite admitting to feeling nervous on his first day, when Arteta slapped a sticker on his chest that read: “Hello, I’m the new person”, Rice now feels at home in an Arsenal shirt.
While Arteta and sporting director Edu knew they would have to build the confidence of £65m summer signing Kai Havertz from the ground up after his struggles at Chelsea, the opposite was true for Rice.
He is simply undroppable, a vital member of the spine of Arteta’s first choice starting XI. Late winners against Man United and Luton have even kept Arsenal in the title race so far.
Rice’s transition has been made easier by the backing he has from his family, who also represent him, frequently travelling to away games in the Prem and Europe to show support.
Rice said: “The people closest to me are incredibly special, level-headed and keep me focused. They’re up front, honest and tell me when things are wrong.
“That’s what’s best for me and it’s something I don’t take for granted.”
Rice celebrates his crucial goal against Manchester UnitedGetty
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