Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, can ascend to become a dominant force among the world's top teams, according to Declan Rice.
Declan Rice has expressed his conviction that, under Mikel Arteta's guidance, Arsenal could transform into a force among the world's elite teams as the new Premier League season unfolds.
Following his substantial £105 million move from West Ham to the Emirates earlier in the summer, the English midfielder has been earnestly adapting to the challenges presented by the club's Spanish manager Arteta.
Having already clinched his first silverware in a different environment, with Arsenal's victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, Rice eagerly awaits the inaugural Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
With aspirations to secure the Premier League title in the 2023-24 season, Arsenal's focus is resolute. Meanwhile, Rice has already discovered a sense of belonging in the confines of North London.
In a conversation with ex-Man United defender Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports, the 24-year-old Rice marvels at the wealth of insights he has gleaned from Arteta over the course of the pre-season preparations.
'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,' Rice said.
'That's what excites me. That's why I came to Arsenal, to win, play under Mikel [Arteta], 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 [Arteta]. 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,' he added.
After leading David Moyes' Hammers to Europa Conference League glory last season, Rice decided to seek pastures new, a tough decision but admits it was the right one at this stage of his career.
'You only get one career. I'm only 24 I just felt like it was the right time to move to go and experience new things, to go and learn, put myself out there,' said Rice.
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