Declan Rice has quickly become one of the key figures in Mikel Arteta’s setup, and the Arsenal manager is hoping to see him commit his future to the club.
It’s been a standout week for Arsenal, and Rice played an important part in all three matches as the Gunners came away with excellent results.
His presence and ability have drawn comparisons to Patrick Vieira, and there’s little doubt that he’s among the top midfielders in Europe right now.
Arteta pushing for Rice to agree a new contract at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has been vocal about his desire for Declan Rice to sign a new contract with Arsenal, considering the growing influence he has within the squad.
This season, Rice has elevated his game, partly thanks to Martin Zubimendi’s presence. The Spanish midfielder’s arrival has freed up Rice to take on more advanced roles, where he’s looked far more comfortable and effective as a number eight.
In the build-up to Arsenal’s match against Brentford, Arteta spoke about how he views Rice’s progression:
“That’s the way I perceived him, that he could potentially be a lighthouse, and now he’s become a lighthouse, which is very difficult to do at a big club like Arsenal.”
“But he fully deserves that. He’s done it with every step of the way, first of all behaving with his performance and attitudes that are at the highest level.”
If they can get him signed long-term, it could prove just as valuable as William Saliba staying put.
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