Declan Rice: England midfielder explains why he chose Arsenal over Manchester City - 'This project seemed more exciting'
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Published 30/04/2024 at 18:49 GMT+1
Declan Rice has branded Manchester City's Rodri "the best in the world" in his position. The 25-year-old has drawn comparisons with the Spaniard since making his summer move to Arsenal. The pair could have been playing alongside each other this season, had Rice decided to move to the Etihad Stadium instead of the Emirates. But the England international says the Gunners "seemed more exciting".
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Declan Rice has revealed he chose to join Arsenal last summer instead of Manchester City, because the Gunners "seemed more exciting".
The England international made the switch from West Ham United in a deal worth over £100 million last summer.
He has since helped Mikel Arteta's side mount a fierce title challenge, as they attempt to win a first Premier League title since 2004.
And the 25-year-old thinks that shows he made the right decision in opting for the Emirates, instead of the Etihad.
"This project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal," he told The Athletic. "I believe we’re on to big things here."
Rice helped West Ham win the UEFA Europa Conference League before leaving the London Stadium in July 2023.
Although European honours have eluded him this year, a first domestic title is within reach.
The Gunners are one point clear at the top of the Premier League, although nearest challengers City have a game in hand.
Rice has been an ever-present in the top flight since joining the club, but admits it took him some time to get up to speed.
"In pre-season, I’d obviously just got there and was trying to gain fitness," he continued. "We played against Man United and I didn’t have the best of games.
"I wasn’t really that fit, and that was when we really tried to play our game model and you could just see I was way out of depth. I didn’t really understand anything that was going on.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Mikel Arteta, Head Coach of Arsenal celebrates with Declan Rice after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2024 in London, England
Image credit: Getty Images
"There were some good moments when I was trying to learn it, but there were also some moments where you could see I needed to improve a lot.
"After that, I watched a lot of videos and then on the training field tried to really improve. I think that game was a real catalyst to helping me out."
Such improvements have helped Rice cement himself in the England starting XI ahead of Euro 2024, with the midfielder recently winning his 50th cap for his country.
He has also netted a career-best tally of six Premier League goals this season.
That has led to comparisons with Manchester City star Rodri, who Rice rates as the best player in the world in his position, adding: "He was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No. 6.
"You can just tell by the way he plays that he’s worked under Pep for so long. He’s a lot more structured than I am. I’d say I’m a lot more off-the-cuff.
"There are different things that we complement each other on - but no doubt, he’s the best in the world."
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