Many at Arsenal left amazed by how quickly one player has learned this season

Add as preferred source on Google

David Ornstein has shared what many inside Arsenal have found striking about Declan Rice following the midfielder’s move to the Emirates in the summer transfer window.

There is absolutely no question that Declan Rice has been an unbelievable signing for the Gunners. In truth, few seemed to have any doubts anyway when it became clear that Arsenal were gearing up to smash their transfer record to bring him in from West Ham.

But of course, Moises Caicedo’s time at Chelsea – so far – shows that spending a record sum does not guarantee success.

Declan Rice amazing many at Arsenal

However, Rice raised his game to every challenge while at West Ham, and whenever he played for England. So it should have come as no surprise to see the 24-year-old thriving as part of an Arsenal side which is right in the Premier League title mix.

But it seems that some at the Emirates were not expecting the midfielder to take to the challenge quite as quickly. Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, David Ornstein suggested that many have been so impressed by how naturally everything has come to Rice.

“Let’s not beat around the bush, Declan Rice is the game-changer for Arsenal. And whether it proves to be decisive in this season’s title race or not, we don’t know. But he’s the perfect signing. He was exactly what Arsenal needed. He has it all, he has improved in areas that he needed to,” he said.

“From the very moment that he joined the club, you started to hear how quick a learner that he was on Mikel Arteta’s tactical instructions and strategies. Really hungry and eager to take feedback on board. And it was striking to people watching inside the club how quickly he implemented it, whereas as some players tend to take a little bit of time.”

The Gunners’ game-changer

Rice’s versatility has made such a difference to Arsenal. He can comfortably play as a number six or number eight. And that allows Arteta to bring in a Jorginho or a Leandro Trossard, depending on what the team needs in that particular game.

Rice has arguably been Arsenal’s best player in what is threatening to be an incredibly special season for the Gunners.

Perhaps even some at London Colney did not quite see just how good a signing he would prove to be in his first season.