Mikel Arteta reveals incredible promise from Declan Rice before £105m Arsenal transfer and how he ‘maintained his word’

MIKEL ARTETA has revealed an incredible promise that was made to him by Declan Rice.

The England international joined Arsenal in the summer in a £105million transfer from West Ham.

AlamyDeclan Rice promised Mikel Arteta he would join Arsenal[/caption]

Rice, 24, was one of the top targets in the transfer window with both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Bayern Munich also interested in his signature.

Manchester City rivalled Arsenal with an official bid, but the former Hammers captain opted for a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Manager Arteta has claimed that there was not a lot of worry when City entered the race as Rice had promised to join Arsenal.

He said: “When I spoke to Declan Rice, he mentioned to me many times from day one ‘I just want to play for Arsenal and I want to play with you’.

“He maintained his word to the last moment and we were good enough to acquire him.”

In an interview with Sky Sports, Arteta also admitted that Rice’s “presence” was “unique” and that is what attracted him to buy the midfielder.

He said: “Even when he was playing at West Ham, I had that feeling that this guy has got a presence that is unique, he has got something else.

“I think the team needs something like that.

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“Through my imagination, every thought was extremely positive.

“Obviously, we knew he was going to be a very expensive player, but he is a player who was playing at a really high level already, so everything that I was trying to predict was extremely positive.

“Then, the outcome has been very, very quick and that is credit to him and how he has adapted, and also how everybody else has been extremely supportive and helpful with him.”

Rice has gone on to cement himself in the Gunners’ starting line-up this season.

His impressive performances have seen Rio Ferdinand claim that Manchester United should have signed him.

The midfielder has become a crucial member of the team and popped up with some vital goals.

Rice scored late goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and Luton Town to help the Gunners climb to the top of the table.

Rice’s last winner came against the Hatters in mid-week and he was serenaded by his team-mates in the changing rooms afterwards.

However, stats have proved that the man his replaced, Granit Xhaka, is doing even better at Bayer Leverkusen.

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