Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has disclosed that manager Mikel Arteta called him into a private office meeting early in the season to express dissatisfaction with several aspects of his game.
The Manager's Summons
The England international revealed that the pivotal conversation took place after just two matches of the campaign. Arteta was reportedly unhappy with Rice's basic defensive actions, positional awareness, and overall contribution during the opening fixtures.
Rice explained to Sky Sports: "At the start of the season, the manager pushed me a lot. I think after two games, I was in his office. He pulled me in. He wasn't happy about a few things." The manager used video clips to highlight specific deficiencies, focusing on fundamentals like tracking runners and on-ball decisions.
A Sluggish Start and Tactical Response
This intervention followed a mixed beginning for Rice in an Arsenal shirt. He was substituted late in the 1-0 opening-day victory at Manchester United's Old Trafford. While he provided an assist in the subsequent 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United, he then started in a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Arteta's response was to drop Rice to the bench for Arsenal's next Premier League encounter, a 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest. The manager explained the decision at the time as part of "finding that right balance" within the squad. This remains the only league match Rice has missed from the starting lineup when available this season.
From Criticism to Acclaim
Rice welcomed Arteta's direct approach, stating it was exactly what he needed to elevate his performances. "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," Rice said.
The midfielder's attitude and subsequent improvement have now led Arteta to publicly hail him as one of the world's elite. Following Rice's match-winning brace in a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, Arteta was unequivocal, answering "Yes, for me, yes" when asked if Rice belonged in that category.
Arteta praised Rice's constant development and highlighted his dedication, particularly in recovering from an injury that ruled him out against Aston Villa to play against Bournemouth. "Every hour for him was important to be able to be available," Arteta said, commending the player's outstanding commitment and performance.
The story encapsulates a classic manager-player dynamic: early, honest criticism leading to significant personal and team improvement. Rice's form has been instrumental in Arsenal's strong season, proving the value of Arteta's demanding man-management.
