After missing out on the title to Manchester City, Mikel Arteta stressed it was crucial that Arsenal’s recruitment this summer took them to “the next level”.
By signing Declan Rice, the Gunners believe they will do just that, and their willingness to pay a club-record fee of £105million underlines their belief in the impact he will make.
He is young, ambitious, has strong leadership qualities and will add athleticism and dynamism to Arsenal’s midfield, which is something they lacked as they faded in the closing weeks of the season.
Arteta believes Rice can play in the holding role like he does for England or further forward as a No8 and box-to-box player, as he has often done for West Ham.
He is most likely to start in a deeper role as a No6 for Arsenal, with Arteta willing to sell Thomas Partey if a suitable offer arrives and they can sign another midfielder.
Kai Havertz, who on Wednesday night completed his £65m move from Chelsea, is expected to replace outgoing Granit Xhaka as one of two No8s, with Martin Odegaard the other. It would make for an exciting midfield trio and one that could set Arsenal up for years to come.
Havertz, Odegaard and Rice are all just 24 and coming into their prime. They also all represent what Arteta looks for in players — they are tactically astute, technically sound and have an excellent work ethic.
Rice is one of the fittest players in the Premier League, and Arsenal believe his ability to get up and down the pitch means he can have an influence in both boxes. At 6ft 2ins, he also has a physical presence. His battling qualities will allow far more creative players such as Havertz and Odegaard to shine.
Arsenal were overpowered by Manchester City in their bruising 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in April, with Rodri controlling the game from midfield. Partey, as he did during the closing part of the season, struggled that night. At 30 and with two years on his contract, Arsenal will consider selling him for the right price this summer, and Rice’s all-action style makes him an ideal replacement.
He is also capable of speeding the game up as well as slowing it down, which will be crucial in the Champions League.
Arsenal feel Havertz and Rice add flexibility to their squad. Havertz can play as a No8 or anywhere across the forward line. Rice can play multiple roles and, if Partey stays, the option of playing the pair together would add solidity for difficult away games.
Once Rice signs, his arrival will pave the way for Xhaka to join Bayer Leverkusen for around £13m. Xhaka will leave a big hole when it comes to leadership, but Rice has shown he is capable of stepping up. He has shone as West Ham captain, filling the sizeable void left by Mark Noble and leading the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in his final game for the club.
Rice is young, ambitious, has strong leadership qualities and will add athleticism and dynamism to Arsenal’s midfield
Rice is close to the perfect signing for Arsenal’s recruitment model. He has the scope to get better and wants to improve, but is ready-made to have an immediate impact as the Gunners bid to bridge the gap to Manchester City and win big trophies.
As part of their due diligence around every major transfer target, Arteta and sporting director Edu dug into his background and character. Rice ticked all the boxes. He is a brilliant trainer, with his dad, Sean, drilling into him from an early age that how he trains translates to how he plays.
Some have questioned how serious Manchester City were about signing Rice, but they bid £90m for him and seeing off their interest is a huge boost for Arsenal.
When Arteta was appointed in 2019, the idea of Arsenal paying £100m for a player, let alone beating City to their signature, was unthinkable. The fee they have agreed is proof of the faith their owners, the Kroenkes, have in Arteta’s project.
West Ham players will miss Rice on the pitch, if not his pranks. Only last month, Flynn Downes was caught out when Rice put eggs in his shoes. Rice was the life and soul of the West Ham dressing room. One suspects it will not be long before that is the case at Arsenal.
