Mikel Arteta has backed Declan Rice to take command of the midfield when Arsenal do battle at Chelsea in a high-stakes London derby on Sunday.
The clash at Stamford Bridge will pit Rice against Chelsea’s formidable midfield pairing of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, a trio whose combined transfer fees exceed £300 million. All three have been among the league’s standout performers this season.
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Rice revealed this week that he voted for Caicedo in his 2024/25 Team of the Year, but Arteta insisted the England international is still growing and evolving at Arsenal.
“Now, being with him every single day, understanding and connecting with him in the way I have done, we are going to get more from him,” Arteta said.
“Because he wants more, the team knows him better, and his role is growing around the team. The impact he has is huge.”
Rice built his reputation at West Ham as a deep-lying midfielder, but Arteta has expanded his game by deploying him in a more advanced role.
“I knew him for a long time before signing him, and I knew how he could evolve and change the team,” Arteta added. “He has certainly done that and probably exceeded those expectations.”
Arteta also highlighted Rice’s leadership qualities as Arsenal push to end their long wait for a Premier League title, having last lifted the trophy in 2003/04.
“He was captain at West Ham,” Arteta said. “He arrived here in a new environment with things already in place, but he has earned the right to increase his role.”
