Declan Rice to be Arsenal's spark as Arteta lines up further transfer splurge
Declan Rice flew out with his new Arsenal team mates on their pre-season tour ready to help them take on the world.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s men will start their trip to the United States in Washington where they play an MLS All Star team on Wednesday managed by Wayne Rooney and that could be Rice’s first appearance in an Arsenal shirt.
They also play Barcelona in Los Angeles and Manchester United in New Jersey and flew out from London on Sunday afternoon for the ten day trip. Thomas Partey was not on the plane as doubts remain over his future with him being targeted by Juventus and Saudi clubs but the club do expect him to join up next week.
Emile Smith Rowe has also been given an extended break after helping England under-21s win the European Championships. Reiss Nelson has stayed behind for treatment and is not in the 29 man party.
It is clear that Arsenal’s transfer business is not finished yet despite the £210m outlay on Rice, Kai Havertz and new Dutch defender Jurrien Timber who is set to be unveiled to the media in Washington.
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They are still in the market for a new right-sided forward as they look to bolster their squad while there is significant interest in Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Partey.
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Mikel Arteta is now turning to fresh targets after seeing Declan Rice arrive (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)It has been Rice’s arrival which has really sparked the huge excitement levels among Arsenal fans and that has been down to Arteta and technical director Edu working behind the scenes to make the deal happen.
They convinced him to join and be part of a long term success ahead of serious interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich but neither of those clubs were remotely close because Arsenal had already put in the ground work.
Rice insists that playing in the Champions League for Arsenal was a key factor in why he chose the Gunners and says his experience of winning a European trophy with West Ham last term will give him major confidence.
Rice said: “I’ve said for many years now that I’ve wanted to play in the Champions League. I’ve wanted to push myself at the biggest level. This opportunity at Arsenal has arisen where Arsenal are in the Champions League, it’s a great club.
“At the end of the day you get one career, and I want to be a successful as I can with Arsenal, make as many Champions League appearances as possible and hopefully one day get my hands on that trophy. Let’s push and see what happens.
“Lifting that was really special, and the icing on the cake. But my ambitions now are to win with Arsenal again. I think this fanbase deserves it. There has been FA Cups, Community Shields, but now it’s time to go one step bigger and win the Premier League, win the Champions League, and I wouldn’t be here if I did not believe that.
Rice is delighted to have joined the Gunners (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)“I believe in this squad. I believe in the manager. We have a real good energy around and when everyone is pushing in the right direction Arsenal will take some stopping. So I’m looking forward to this journey.”
Rice also insists that, despite the record fee, that the spotlight will not change him in any way. He added: “The main thing is I’m just going to be myself. There is no need to be any different. When I am myself, when I’m Declan Rice that makes me excel.
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“I don’t need to be any different, I’m just going to be the same lad that has worked hard to get to where he has got to. I think the lads will really embrace me. I’m a really outgoing person so I try to have a laugh, treat everyone how I’d like to be treated.
“There has been some really good values that I learnt from West Ham that will stay with me for ever. It’s important to bring those to this club, which also has their own values, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
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