Declan Rice shares what Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told him in private conversation two weeks ago

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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has shared what Gunners boss Mikel Arteta told him about his potential earlier this year.

The Arsenal summer signing, speaking to ESPN, revealed that Arteta said he doesn’t realise just how far he can go in the game.

Rice has been a revelation for Arsenal since arriving at the Emirates Stadium in a £100million-plus move from West Ham.

The 25-year-old has been so good for the Gunners that his high transfer fee almost seems like a bargain. And this is in the first season.

Rice has been key in Arsenal’s impressive form that keeps them within touching distance of the Premier League summit.

His efforts have also helped the Gunners into the last 16 of the Champions League, though they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit to Porto.

Rice’s heroics saw him win the Premier League Player of the Year accolade at the 2024 London Football Awards on Thursday.

Many would probably say that Rice has been pretty much flawless so far and would be happy were he to maintain these levels throughout his time at N5.

However, the England international says Arteta has told him that he can reach even higher levels.

“I have this conversation with the manager all the time,” said Rice. “A couple of weeks ago he said ‘you don’t realise the potential of how far you can go.’

“Maybe sometimes I don’t, maybe sometimes I play it down and I don’t feel as confident as I seem. The next thing is winning trophies.”

Arsenal star Declan Rice is a special kind of player

It takes a special kind of player to make a £100million-plus transfer fee seem like a bargain. But Rice is exactly that kind of player.

He is world-class in quality, work-rate and attitude. And the fact he seems happy to downplay his superb potential is testament to that humble attitude that will keep his feet on the ground and ensure he can continue to improve.