Mikel Arteta has backed Declan Rice to become one of football's finest players as Arsenal prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea. The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday holding a six-point lead over the second-placed Blues, and Arteta believes the best is yet to come from his record signing.
Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham for £105 million in 2023, has evolved from a defensive midfielder into a dynamic box-to-box presence. Arteta admitted he has been surprised by the 26-year-old's progression, saying: 'Probably a year or two ago, I would have said he had reached his peak. But now, being with him every day, we are going to get more. He wants more, and his role is growing around the team.'
The England international was outstanding in recent victories against Tottenham and Bayern Munich, and was named man of the match against the German side. Rice, who spent seven years at Chelsea before being released at age 14, revealed a burning desire to succeed after three successive runners-up finishes. 'There is an anger in our players this season,' he told Thierry Henry. 'We have that fire in our stomach.'
Arteta has encouraged that hunger, saying: 'That desire to win and do everything in our hands to be the best is unquestionable. They show it with their actions every single day.' The Arsenal manager also hopes Leandro Trossard will be fit for Sunday after the Belgian limped off against Bayern, but remains focused on maintaining their title push.
