Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt

This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

+19 | Please play responsibly | T&C's Apply | Commercial Content  | Publishing Principles
Mikel Arteta Declan Rice Arsenal 2023-24Getty

'The one I wanted to take care of the next part of my career' - Declan Rice explains decision to snub Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea to join Arsenal in £105 summer transfer

Exclusive Home
New Fubo Logo

FuboTV

✅ Streams every single one of the 380 Premier League matches live, acting as the absolute sole broadcaster in the country.

✅ Broadcasts selected marquee matches in 4K Ultra HD for a high-end home viewing experience.

✅ Includes built-in DVR and full on-demand match replays, which is essential for West Coast viewers sleeping through the early morning UK kick-off times.


Monthly from$14.99 CAD
  • Rice joined Gunners this summer
  • Arsenal paid club-record £105m
  • Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City also interested

WHAT HAPPENED? Rice has explained that his move to Arsenal came about because he has complete faith in Arteta, with the Gunners having finished as Premier League runners-up last season. There was rival interest from United, Chelsea, and City, but it seems the lure of working with the Spaniard was too much for the England star to resist.

WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking to Joe Cole on Channel Four before the Three Lions played Ukraine, Rice was asked why he chose to move to the Emirates and replied: “I have to say the manager, Mikel."

“From the moment that I met him I knew he was the one that I wanted to take care of the next part of my career and I just had that gut feeling that Arsenal would bet he club even though there was other interest.

“No (there has not been a big jump up in quality at Arsenal), towards the end of my time at West Ham the players we had were unbelievable. But I would say the difference is the way now I’m having to play is much more advanced (up the pitch).”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Rice has started every Gunners game thus far this season, even scoring in the manic 3-1 win over Manchester United prior to the international break.

IN TWO PHOTOS:

Declan Rice Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images

Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2023-24Getty

WHAT NEXT? Rice is likely to play for England against Scotland on Tuesday when the two sides go head-to-head in an International Friendly as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of football's oldest international fixture on record.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Follow GOAL on Google