Gareth Southgate thinks Arsenal player is about to become even better

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England boss Gareth Southgate believes Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is about to become an even better player thanks to the Champions League.

Any issues in Declan Rice’s game should be smoothed out by playing in the Champions League for Arsenal this season.

That is the view of England boss Gareth Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland, according to the Daily Mail.

It’s highlighted that many felt Rice still wasn’t quite right for England’s midfield even after Euro 2020.

Southgate was always convinced and put ‘unerring faith’ in Rice, who is now an absolutely key part of the England side.

The report claims that England’s coaching team now think Rice’s first run at Champions League football this season will ‘smooth any rough edges’ that may still be in his game.

Rice joined Arsenal in a big-money move over the summer with Champions League football absolutely key to his decision to leave West Ham United.

Rice will help England against Ukraine and Scotland over this international break but the opening Champions League group stage game against PSV Eindhoven is fast approaching.

Arsenal have a fairly favourable group with PSV, Lens and Sevilla in their way but Southgate seemingly believes that playing on Europe’s biggest stage is going to help Rice immeasurably.

Declan Rice has already had his big Arsenal moment

Any new signing will always want to have a big moment early into their time at a new club.

Rice is no different and that big moment arrived in Arsenal’s win over Manchester United on Sunday.

With time ticking away, Rice steadied himself and smashed the ball home, putting Arsenal 2-1 up and sending the Emirates Stadium wild.

Arsenal ended up winning 3-1 but it was Rice’s goal which proved to be the key moment as he starts to repay his enormous transfer fee.

We’re already seeing real excellence from Rice in the Arsenal midfield, whether deployed as a holding midfielder or in a more advanced role.

It’s scary to think that Rice could get better and better but Southgate and co seemingly believe that we’re about to see an even more rounded player – and Arsenal fans have to be hugely excited at that prospect.