Rice in Arsenal disbelief after "complete opposite" start to what you'd expect
Declan Rice says he's tried to take the "complete opposite" approach to how new players usually act at a new club during his first few weeks at Arsenal.
The midfielder became the most expensive British footballer ever when he completed his £105m switch from West Ham to the Gunners this summer, and he is seen by many as the key ingredient in an Arsenal side who are looking to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League crown this season.
Rice made his competitive Gunners debut in last weekend's Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Wembley, and will make his league bow for his new club when Nottingham Forest come to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The match will be the first Premier League game to be broadcast on the revamped TNT Sports channel, and speaking to Rio Ferdinand for the broadcaster before the game, Rice offered an insight into how his first few weeks at his new club have gone.
"You know when a new player comes to a club, they can be quiet, reserved," Rice told Ferdinand.
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Rice was in conversation with Rio Ferdinand"I tried to do the complete opposite and go speak to anyone in my first couple of days, I was just trying to show everyone how I am as a character. I've got to speak to new people, speak to the kitchen staff, speak to staff, speak to other players... just to show my character and show that I'm not shy."
Rice is also enthused by the possibility of playing under Mikel Arteta, and says the Spanish boss has created the perfect winning environment in north London.
"The moment I walked in the door, that's the thing that shocked me the most how much it's [the winning mentality] drilled into this club and the way the manager is drilling in the players about winning and not being far off, being one of the best teams in the world," he continued.
"That's what excites me. That's why I came to Arsenal, to win, play under Mikel, to play with the players. It's such an exciting project to be a part of.
"I think in the last four weeks alone I've grown so much. I've learned so much about football that I hadn't really seen before. I was blown away by him.
"Of course, I'm now working with him day by day, it's another level. Seeing how he works, how his mind operates, picking up stuff. Seeing how he goes into detail on the opposition and seeing how he wants to improve us as players individually collectively. It's really impressive.
"I'm honestly seeing the game in a completely different way already... Tactically, on the ball, off the ball, I'm happy to know I'm learning so much because I'm trying to push myself to learn... Since the Community Shield, I feel I've taken a big step, everything is starting to click."
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