Declan Rice has revealed in an interview via Arsenal’s official media how manager Mikel Arteta knows exactly when to deliver tough feedback, a key factor behind his impressive Declan Rice Arsenal form this season.
“The good thing is with the manager, he knows when to put the knife in me, just to give me a nudge. He knows how to get the best out of me.”
The England midfielder admitted he struggled at the start of the season but quickly turned things around. “I realised myself that I probably wasn’t at my best, but this was two or three games in,” Rice explained. “I wasn’t too worried. I knew I’d pick it back up.”
Rice has scored four goals and provided three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season. The 26-year-old won Arsenal’s Player of the Season award last term after netting two memorable free kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Declan Rice Arsenal form turnaround reflects his determination to justify the club’s £100 million investment which was nicely demonstrated through his heroics is netting two goals away to Bournemouth to seal a crucial win . “Every season, I think to myself, how can you level up again, how can you go again and show why Arsenal brought you in?” he said.
Rice, who has been touted as one of the best midfielders in Europe emphasized the competitive nature at the club. “This is a club where there’s fierce competition and nothing’s ever guaranteed, so you need to be on it every single day and every single week just to keep your place.”
Arsenal remain unbeaten at home this season with nine wins and one draw from 10 Premier League matches at the Emirates. Only Sunderland share that distinction in the top flight. The Gunners have collected 28 points from a possible 30 at home.
Rice called on supporters to maintain the intimidating atmosphere ahead of their next home fixture against Liverpool on Thursday night. “We need the Emirates to be on it again,” he urged. “The energy needs to be right. We need to transmit that energy on the pitch, give them the right reason to cheer and to push us on.”
The midfielder praised the squad’s collective mentality under Arteta. “We have an incredible manager. We have a team that are fully buying into what the manager wants and we’re going out on the pitch at the minute and things are falling into place.”
What Else?
The Declan Rice Arsenal form has been crucial to the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League table. Arsenal topped the calendar year table in 2025 for the second consecutive year, demonstrating their consistency.
“There’s no better feeling than winning football matches,” Rice said. “There’s been a real good vibe and a real good energy around the place since the start of the season.”
