Rice: Arsenal 'very lucky' to have Arteta after new deal to 2030

Credit: Getty Images

Declan Rice says Arsenal are 'very lucky' to have Mikel Arteta locked in as manager until 2030, praising the level of tactical detail the Spaniard brings to the club on a daily basis.

Arteta signed a new long-term contract earlier this week, extending his stay at the Emirates and taking his time in charge towards a full decade once his previous spell as a player is included. He arrived in December 2019 as a replacement for Unai Emery and has since overseen a dramatic turnaround, guiding Arsenal from mid-table finishes to Premier League champions and a Champions League final appearance last season.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Rice gave an insight into what makes Arteta stand out as a coach. 'It's just tactically, training, managing, the detail he goes into, the things he sees that you would never see,' the midfielder said. 'He's constantly watching you when you don't think you're being watched. He's watching, constantly asking questions to try and catch you out, to see if you're listening. He's always keeping you on your toes, making sure that you're ready.'

Rice praises Arteta's attention to detail

Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham, went further in explaining how Arteta's methods translate into performances on the pitch. 'Every time we go into games, tactically we know what we're doing. Defensively, with the ball, how we're going to beat the opposition. It's just the fine details, the way he breaks everything down, which makes him the best for me.'

He added: 'It's amazing that he signed a new contract and we get to have him as our manager for the next four years. So, we'll be very lucky.'

Defending the title

Arsenal now find themselves defending the Premier League title for the first time under Arteta, a position Rice insists the squad is embracing rather than fearing. 'It was an amazing achievement, but this year's a brand new season: new team, new opposition, new players. So it throws up a different challenge,' he said.

'So, yeah, OK, we are the champions, but we don't go on the pitch and think about last season. We're definitely playing with more confidence this season, you can feel that within the group, but it's about staying humble, and taking each game as it comes like we did last year and trying to win as many as possible.'

Arsenal continue their title defence against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Arteta now able to plan well beyond this campaign having committed his long-term future to the club.