Arsenal’s club-record signing Declan Rice has discussed the “gut feeling” he had towards a move to the Gunners and how Mikel Arteta was vital in his decision to join
Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta was the main reason he knew he wanted to join Arsenal ahead of other clubs linked with his services, including Manchester City.
At one stage during the summer window, it looked as Rice could be heading to the Etihad to play for the reigning champions after Pep Guardiola’s men submitted a bid for the midfielder. However, after Arsenal’s £105million bid was accepted by West Ham, the 24-year-old got his wish and put pen to paper on a deal with the Gunners.
He has since featured in all of Arsenal’s opening four Premier League games and has already sealed his place in the hearts of the Emirates faithful with his 96th-minute winner against Manchester United earlier this month. In the eyes of many, the goal marked the moment Rice truly became a Gunners player.
Things could have been very different if City had pipped Arsenal to the post and signed Rice themselves, but he has since explained why a move to the red half of North London was so appealing.