Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has provided a revealing insight into the high standards at the Emirates, disclosing that manager Mikel Arteta summoned him for a critical one-on-one meeting just two games into the season.
The Early-Season Summons
Rice explained that Arteta was dissatisfied with several aspects of his play during the opening fixtures of the campaign. The England international was called into the manager's office after Arsenal's initial matches, which included a 1-0 win at Manchester United and a 5-0 victory over Leeds United.
"At the start of the season, the manager pushed me a lot," Rice told Sky Sports. "I think after two games, I was in his office. He pulled me in. He wasn't happy about a few things." The midfielder admitted he was aware his own performance levels were not at their peak during that period.
Arteta's Direct Feedback
The manager's critique was specific and focused on fundamentals. Arteta presented video clips highlighting deficiencies in Rice's game. The issues centred on basic requirements like tracking runners, positional awareness, and certain actions in possession.
"There were a few clips, just of things that I wasn't doing right," Rice confirmed. "Things that are basics, in terms of running and tracking your men and with the ball, positional-wise, that he wasn't too happy with." This direct approach, however, was exactly what the player needed.
Rice praised Arteta's man-management, stating: "The good thing with this manager is that he knows when to put the knife in me a little bit, just when to give me a nudge, and he also knows that will get the best out of me." He took the feedback positively, vowing to himself: "'I do need to up it here'!"
From Critique to Acclaim
The meeting had a tangible impact. Rice was subsequently benched for Arsenal's following Premier League match, a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, as Arteta sought the "right balance." That remains the only league game this season Rice has missed from the start when available.
Months later, the dynamic has shifted entirely. Arteta is now publicly lauding his midfielder as one of the world's elite. Following Rice's match-winning two-goal display in a 3-2 triumph at Bournemouth, Arteta was unequivocal when asked if Rice belonged in that top bracket: "Yes, for me, yes."
The Arsenal boss highlighted Rice's relentless drive to improve, noting his rapid recovery from an injury that ruled him out against Aston Villa to feature on the south coast. "Every hour for him was important to be able to be available," Arteta said, praising the player's outstanding commitment and the "really big message" it sent to the squad.
Arteta concluded: "Declan is constantly adding things to his game; he's constantly adding things to his role in the team. I don't see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas, and he wants to improve, as he's such a pivotal player for us." The frank office meeting in August has clearly paved the way for a stellar season from both player and club.
