Declan Rice has completed his move to Arsenal

Rice: Arteta is the manager to take me to the next level

Declan Rice has completed his move to Arsenal

Declan Rice says Mikel Arteta was a key factor in him deciding to join Arsenal and believes his new manager can help him to get even better.

The midfielder has finally completed his £105m move from West Ham to the Gunners, ending a long running transfer saga between the two clubs.

Ahead of the confirmation of the move, Rice released a statement thanking the West Ham fans for their support during his ten years at the club and insisted it was a “tough” decision to leave.

But opening up on his move to north London, the England international said the chance to work with Arteta was a key reason as to why he was so keen to make the switch.

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“You only ever get one career and I really believe in what Mikel is building here and the squad he’s building,” he told the club.

“I’m really looking forward to the future with Arsenal. I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on. Not last season but the season before, they finished fifth but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing.

“Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Man City.

“With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong, that means a lot to me. I know the fans really want that.

“For me as a player, I’ve come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.”

Rice lifted the Europa Conference League trophy with West Ham last season, and believes Arteta can help him to win even more silverware.

“I know he’s going to get the best out of me,” he added.

“I know I’ve got more levels to go up in my game, and I feel like he’s the manager to take me to those next levels. I’m really excited to be working with him.”

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