Mikel Arteta has declared that Declan Rice is yet to reach his ceiling at Arsenal and will get even better, ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash at Chelsea where the England star faces two of the Premier League’s priciest midfielders Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo.
Rice, signed for £105 million in 2023, has been outstanding this season, scoring two stunning free-kicks in Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League demolition of Real Madrid.
Arteta told reporters on Friday: “Now, being with him every single day, understanding and connecting with him in the way I have done, we are going to get more from him. Because he wants more, the team knows him better, his role is growing around the team. The impact he has on the team, it’s huge.”
The Arsenal boss highlighted how he has successfully pushed Rice into a more advanced No.8 role from the defensive position he occupied at West Ham.
“I knew him for a long time and I knew how he could evolve and change the team. He has certainly done it and probably improved on those expectations,” Arteta added.
He also praised Rice’s growing leadership presence within the dressing room, noting the 26-year-old is now part of the official leadership group despite not wearing the armband.
“He doesn’t need to wear the armband to feel really connected, really powerful and really important in the team,” Arteta said.
Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge six points clear of second-placed Chelsea and knowing a win would open a commanding nine-point gap in the title race.
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