Arsenal star names best player he’s played with after title triumph

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Declan Rice didn’t hesitate when asked to identify the best player he has played alongside since joining Arsenal from West Ham in 2023.

The England midfielder, still celebrating Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph confirmed on Tuesday night, was quick to name Bukayo Saka as his standout teammate when questioned by TNT Sports.

“Any player? I’m going to have to say Saka,” Rice declared during media rounds following the Gunners’ championship celebrations that lasted through the night.

Mutual admiration between Arsenal stars

The praise flows both ways, with Saka crediting Rice as a transformational signing for the club’s title push. The winger revealed he personally reached out to welcome Rice to north London when the transfer was completed.

“This man here [Rice]. I remember when he came, I FaceTimed him, I was in LA and I said, ‘Bro, thank you man.’ Because we need guys like him and he’s stepped up this season,” Saka told Sky Sports.

Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday, clinching the championship with a game to spare before Sunday’s final fixture against Crystal Palace.

Arteta’s convincing power

Rice also revealed the decisive role manager Mikel Arteta played in convincing him to choose Arsenal over other interested clubs during his £105million move from West Ham.

“Obviously at that time I had a few options, but after weighing everything up after speaking to Mikel I’d never been so convinced that I wanted to play for Arsenal and that manager,” the 72-cap England international explained.

“He’s just so convincing. He looks you in the eye, tells you the plan and tells you what he’s going to do and everything he’s said has come true. It’s incredible.”

The midfielder admitted his decision was influenced by Arsenal’s rebuilding project and the opportunity to be part of something special at the Emirates Stadium.

“I knew winning one with Arsenal would mean so much more than anything else, just because where the club’s been, what they were building through, the young players that they had. I just wanted to be part of that.”

Both Rice and Saka praised Arteta’s impact, with the winger describing the Spanish coach as “a hero” who “really deserves this” after transforming the club during his tenure.

Arsenal now turn their attention to completing their domestic campaign before the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30, where they could cap off a remarkable season with European glory.