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Declan Rice has revealed that Mikel Arteta played an integral role in his decision to join Arsenal ahead of Manchester City and Chelsea.<\/p>\n
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
Arsenal won the race to sign Rice in the summer transfer window as they agreed a \u00a3105 million deal with West Ham.<\/p>\n
The Gunners were forced to fend off long-standing interest in Rice from Chelsea and Manchester United, while City submitted a \u00a3105m offer to West Ham for the England international.<\/p>\n
However, Rice claims the prospect of playing under Arteta was a key factor behind his move to north London.<\/p>\n
When asked what convinced him to join Arsenal, Rice told Channel 4: \u2018I have to say the manager, Mikel.<\/p>\n
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\u2018I think just from the moment that I met him I knew he was the one I wanted to take of the next part of my career.<\/p>\n
\u2018Just the way he spoke, his aurora, the way he sees the game, the way he wants to play football, and I think we\u2019ve seen Arsenal the way they\u2019ve played the last two years, the way they\u2019ve played as a team I really see myself fitting in.<\/p>\n
\u2018So far that decision has paid off. I feel really at home. I\u2019ve always had that gut feeling that Arsenal would be the club from the moment I walked in up until now.\u2019<\/p>\n
Asked if he noticed an improvement in the training levels after leaving West Ham, Rice replied: \u2018Do you know what, towards the end of my time at West Ham the players we had were unbelievable.<\/p>\n
\u2018We had such good quality in the team. Last summer when we signed [Gianluca] Scamacca, Lucas Paqueta, the training went up another level when they come in.<\/p>\n
\u2018But of course, at Arsenal you see the season they had last year, and you just see the individuals they had, probably more national team players, I would say just the difference is in terms of the way now I\u2019m having to play is much more advanced, much more forward thinking, whereas instead of sitting in a low block, counter-attacking, it\u2019s much more winning the balls higher up the pitch, being more aggressive on that front.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve always wanted to reach the top level of the game, I\u2019ve always wanted to get every inch out of myself and at Arsenal that\u2019s where I see myself doing that best, so that\u2019s why I made that decision.\u2019<\/p>\n