'We met in Ibiza!' - Arsenal star Declan Rice reveals chance link-up with Man City counterpart Rodri as Gunners midfielder reveals impact Mikel Arteta has had on his game

Gunners star Rice has spoken about a surprise encounter with City talisman Rodri on the Spanish island, how it will be a pleasure to face off against the 27-year-old when Arsenal face Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad on Sunday and how much Arteta has improved the England international's game.

He told Sky Sports: "We [Rice and Rodri] met in Ibiza. He was with a group of friends and we were next to him. I think as footballers when you see other footballers out you always end up talking and it was great to talk to him. I am a big admirer of him. People are always going to compare us, that's what people have to talk and write about but I don't see it as that. I am a great admirer of his game. He's playing for Man City, I'm playing for Arsenal, we're battling it out, he's a fantastic player. He plays game after game, got the trophies to his name as well, I'll never say a bad word about him. I think there's a lot of respect there and I think on Sunday there will be a lot of respect as well. We go to battle for 90 minutes but after we will shake hands and it will be a pleasure to share the pitch with him."

When asked about Arteta's telling impact on Rice's game, he added: "Yes, definitely. I think because he [Rodri] plays in a team where the six is kind of similar to the way we want to play. He would have noticed them little adjustments that I've spoken about recently in terms of positional games, where to be when the goalkeeper or centre-backs have the ball. Or if the ball's in the attacking third how to arrive into little zones. So he would have noticed that type of stuff because he does that week in, week out. But that's definitely the stuff I have been trying to improve in my game as well."

Rice has proven to be an excellent signing for Arsenal since his summer £105 million ($132.5m) move from West Ham. However, the 25-year-old is coming up against one of the best midfielders in the world in City's Rodri and how he fares against the Spaniard will be a huge test of his credentials. Moreover, with 10 games to go, this battle between league-leaders Arsenal and third-placed City could be key in who wins this season's Premier League.

After this crucial encounter at the top of the Premier League, Rice's Arsenal side host relegation-threatened Luton Town on Wednesday at the Emirates whereas Rodri's City entertain fourth-placed Aston Villa on the same date.