Declan Rice reveals why he turned down treble winning Man City to join Arsenal

Arsenal has secured the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham for a staggering £105m, making it the highest transfer fee ever paid between two British clubs in the summer transfer window of 2023. The 24-year-old midfielder had attracted interest from several top clubs, including Manchester City, but ultimately chose to join the Gunners.

Rice recently opened up about his decision to join Arsenal, shedding light on why he turned down Manchester City’s advances. Speaking to Arsenal Media, he expressed his admiration for the club’s trajectory and playing style under manager Mikel Arteta.

“I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been going on,” Rice revealed. “Not last season but the season before, they finished fifth but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing.”

Indeed, Arteta has been working tirelessly to instill his philosophy and tactical approach at Arsenal. While last season may not have yielded the desired results in terms of winning the league title, it showcased Arteta’s vision for the team.

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

Arsenal’s impressive performances last season caught Rice’s attention and convinced him that this was a club on an upward trajectory. The midfielder also highlighted the young squad and vibrant energy surrounding Arsenal as factors that influenced his decision.

“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,” Rice explained. “I know the fans really want that.”

Rice’s hunger for success aligns perfectly with Arsenal’s ambitions. The Gunners have long been striving to reclaim their former glory and return to their rightful place among English football’s elite. The signing of Rice signifies a step in that direction, as the club aims to rebuild and compete for major honors once again.

“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 concluded.

Arsenal fans will undoubtedly be thrilled with the arrival of Declan Rice, who brings both talent and a winning mentality to the squad. As the Gunners continue their summer transfer business, it is clear that they are determined to assemble a team capable of challenging for silverware in the upcoming season.