Rice's four closest Arsenal teammates despite "completely different backgrounds"

24 January 2024 , 06:00

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Rice's four closest Arsenal teammates despite "completely different backgrounds"

Declan Rice has named Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Aaron Ramsdale as the players he's grown closest to since joining Arsenal.

The former West Ham United star, who moved to the Emirates for a club-record fee in the summer, would've known Ramsdale from their time together with England, but the other three team-mates were unknown to him before he crossed the capital.

Arsenal's camaraderie and bond has been evident in some of their late wins this season with Rice, who was long tipped to join a top six outfit, adding value to the team. The England international has been keen to throw himself into the environment at the Emirates with trophies very much on his radar.

He told the club's website: "To be fair, I’ve formed a lot of really good relationships here. There’s a lot of different cultures and I’m really close with Gabriel Maghalaes – we get on so, so well. Alex Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Aaron Ramsdale too.

"I get on with everyone, I talk to everyone and it’s great to have a good relationship with so many different people in the team. I look around and I think these are the people that I want to win stuff with and have a long career with."

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Arsenal's squad is a mix of different nationalities, brought up on differing footballing cultures. Mikel Arteta himself has his own philosophy, which he has implemented during his tenure at the Emirates, and Rice believes being in and around such an environment has progressed him as a player.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 13: (L-R) Declan Rice and Gabriel of Arsenal during a training session at NAS Sports Complex on January 13, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"They’ve taught me so much," he added. "Take me and Gabriel for example. We’re both completely different personalities from completely different backgrounds and 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’s what I love about the Premier League and Arsenal – it’s such a multicultural environment, and everyone understands that 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."

Rice has been a towering presence in the middle of the park, commanding games as he looks to justify his £105million fee. The former Hammer has also come up with big moments, including crucial goals in games against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Samuel Meade