Declan Rice has already surpassed the expectations placed on him by becoming an Arsenal player, according to Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta claims Declan Rice can get even better despite having reached a perceived peak in his career so far since joining Arsenal. The Gunners take on Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, looking to move nine points ahead of their fellow title contenders.
After wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, Arsenal have earned the title of Europe’s best from many, sitting top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
“Those are statements we are talking about every three days,” Arteta said when asked about the message another big win this week would send.
“So after beating Spurs at home, then we had to make the statement again, Bayern Munich. We’ve done that, and now we have to go to the next one.
“That’s where we are; we know the importance of the week. Not only that, but what is coming after three days will be exactly the same. Nothing is going to change, but we are super motivated for the game.”
Rice had critical performances in both games and, against the German champions, was awarded the Player of the Match award.
Chelsea have looked on with envy, having let the England international go at youth level in 2013 and were long-term suitors while he impressed at West Ham, but Arsenal were the team who would grab his £105million signature.
Arteta feels that even with Rice reaching levels where some plaudits even have him in Ballon d’Or discussions, he can get even better.
“Being with him every single day, understanding and connecting with him in the way I have done… We are going to get more,” Arteta said.
“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 just two goals in 19 games this season, with this thought to be an area of particular focus for the 26-year-old.
“That will vary related to the position and the spaces he occupies, but there will be other areas he will evolve,” Arteta said when asked if goal-scoring was the area of development in his thoughts.
Rice was a player appreciated broadly before his big-money move, and Arteta now feels that he has exceeded even his ambitious expectations since signing.
“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.”
Adding: “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.’”
