Arsenal boosted by seven reasons Rice would still prefer them despite hijack attempt from Man City

The idea of a Manchester City hijack has induced panic in some quarters at Arsenal but word is that Declan Rice still prefers the Gunners – and here’s why.

Manchester City entering the race for Rice would make it seem like a done thing. Given the choice between Premier League champions and runners-up, Treble winners and… not Treble winners, the West Ham midfielder would be foolish to plump for Arsenal.

Yet there are seven reasons, as reported by those well-connected newspaper folk, why Rice would still prefer Arsenal over all else.

Playing opportunities

‘However, the treble winners are not short of options in central midfield. They are close to signing Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and have Rodri and Kalvin Phillips to play in central midfield. Rice would be more likely to start regularly at Arsenal’ – Jacob Steinberg, The Guardian.

‘Yet, while Arsenal gave clarity, the recurring question at City concerned where he would play’ – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail.

Perhaps having spoken to England teammate Kalvin Phillips, Rice seems particularly wary about taking a year out of a short career to complete the compulsory bedding-in period under Pep Guardiola, which typically takes a season, before becoming peerlessly brilliant.

There would be no such gradual transition into the Arsenal starting line-up. With the protracted sale of Granit Xhaka and likely exit of Thomas Partey, Rice would be a guaranteed starter. And that matters to a player who has only missed 13 Premier League games in the last five seasons.

Importance of role

‘Arsenal want to build a new-look midfield around Rice and see him as a fundamental part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term project at the Emirates Stadium… City, meanwhile, are understood to be attracted to Rice’s versatility’ – James Ducker and Sam Dean, Daily Telegraph

‘He is convinced that he will play a lead role in Arteta’s plans and would arrive at Arsenal knowing he would immediately become central to the way the Gunners play’ – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail.

On a similar note, Rice appears to have been sold an Arsenal vision which revolves specifically around him – something Manchester City cannot pretend will be a reality if he joins them instead.

The West Ham captain would be one of many moving, interchangeable parts in a Treble-winning machine at the Etihad, whereas at the Emirates he would be the fulcrum in a brilliant unit. It’s enough to sway such a tough, important decision.

Captaincy

‘Arteta believes Rice will one day become captain of Arsenal if he signs. There would be no immediate plan to give Rice the captaincy with Martin Odegaard currently wearing the armband. There is, however, a belief that Rice would immediately become one of the leaders of the Emirates dressing room, a position that would eventually see him become full-time captain. In the immediate future, Rice would likely become part of the club’s leadership group which currently consists of Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard’ – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail.

“I feel like it’s a dream to be the captain of a football club. Any football club, it’s an absolute honour,” Rice said when officially appointed West Ham skipper in place of Mark Noble in July 2022. The leadership angle is precisely the sort of stuff which appeals to him and again, Arsenal can offer that far more readily than Manchester City.

READ MORE: Declan Rice told Arsenal snub for Man City a ‘no-brainer’ as midfielder urged to ‘be Joey Barton’

London

‘His preference remains to stay in London. The England international became a father last year and is extremely close to his family’ – Jacob Steinberg, The Guardian.

‘The preference is to stay in the capital. Rice, who grew up in West London before moving east when joining West Ham at 14, has a young family and is very close with his parents and siblings. His father works as his agent while his two brothers deal with commercial opportunities’ – Tom Barclay, The Sun.

It’s a little self-explanatory, but no less relevant or important. Rice is a London boy with a long-term partner and young son, as well as family dotted around the capital. The mere thought of venturing as far north as Manchester could induce homesickness.

Mikel Arteta

‘Rice also admires Arteta’s football and Arsenal should not have any problems when it comes to personal terms’ – Jacob Steinberg, The Guardian.

After a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day, Rice declared of the Gunners: “They are a top team. You can see they are coached incredibly well, have a lot of attacking talent, a young squad and they can go the whole way for sure.” He likes the cut of their entire jib, but particularly Arteta’s.

Pep Guardiola

‘Sources have indicated that Guardiola’s expected departure when his contract expires in 2025 will be a consideration for Rice’ – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail.

Speculation is always abound linking Guardiola with a move elsewhere, but the latest indication is that he will serve the remainder of his Manchester City contract before leaving when it expires in summer 2025.

Arteta, of course, has an Arsenal deal which runs to the same point. Paris Saint-Germain want the Gunners manager, as do Barcelona and probably even Manchester City themselves, but talks have been held over an extension.

The journey

‘Rice had been convinced by Arsenal’s determined boss Mikel Arteta. How he would be central to Arsenal’s rebuild, where he would play, how he would play and the trust Arteta has in him to be the driving force to take his young side to the next level; that of Premier League champions’ – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail.

Linked to the Arteta and importance factors but also a separate point in itself is the natural pull of joining a club with the perfectly feasible challenge of guiding them from challengers to champions. Being the decisive element of that collective journey, as well as completing it personally, is a tempting prospect for any ambitious player.

Arsenal can play on that far more than Manchester City, who have won it all. It’s a little on the nose but Rice would be a passenger for them and, yes, ‘the driving force’ in north London.