Everton manager David Moyes has been speaking about Arsenal ahead of the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Gunners didn’t have a great recent record at Goodison Park. In fact, Mikel Arteta only won one of his five games at that ground as the Arsenal manager.
On Saturday, Arteta will be hoping to be more successful at Everton’s new home, and Declan Rice will be a key player for the Premier League leaders.
Moyes has now aimed a subtle dig at Arsenal signing the England international.
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David Moyes suggests Arsenal signed Declan Rice ‘too cheaply’
Arsenal struck a £105 million deal to sign Rice from West Ham in the summer of 2023.
The Englishman remains the Gunners’ record signing, and he has been unbelievable for them over the last two-and-a-half years.
Rice was already an excellent player under David Moyes at West Ham, but he has taken his game to a whole new level under Arteta.
That has led to some fans singing ‘we got him half-price’, which is crazy because Rice cost in excess of £100 million.
Moyes previously claimed that Arsenal owed him another £50 million because Rice was signed too cheaply. Now, the Everton boss has hinted at the same again.
During his press conference ahead of the game against the Gunners, Moyes was asked if Arteta had ever called him for advice.
The Scot replied, as relayed on HaytersTV: “Yeah! Also for favours. He’s taken my players too cheaply, stuff like that, in the past.”
The only player Arteta has signed from a club managed by Moyes is Rice, so the Everton boss is clearly talking about the Arsenal number 41.
Who are you choosing: Prime Cesc Fabregas vs current Declan Rice? 🤔
Declan Rice has to make a statement vs Everton
Rice was absolutely furious after Arsenal’s win over Wolves in their last Premier League game.
The Gunners were awful in that fixture. The standards were nowhere near where they should be, and reports have since claimed that Rice had a go at his teammates in the dressing room after the clash.
That shows real leadership from the England international, but he will be the first to admit that he wasn’t at his best against Wolves either.
Rice will want to make a statement when Arsenal take on Everton, and he has done it before against Moyes. He scored a screamer and picked up two assists against the Scot’s West Ham back in 2024.
We’re sure he will want to do it again on Saturday.
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