Declan Rice makes nine-word confession on return to London Colney that Arsenal fans will love

Add as preferred source on Google

Declan Rice made a statement as he returned to Arsenal training after an extended break following his involvement at Euro 2024.

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, and William Saliba have all now returned to Arsenal, having been handed a longer holiday period due to having reached the latter stages of Euro 2024.

Of course, Rice and Saka both played in the final of the competition, whilst Raya remained on the bench as his Spain side won the competition. 

Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have the quintet back at London Colney, and they will all now need to work hard to catch up with their teammates, who already have a solid chunk of pre-season work under their belts. 

Arteta planned for reintegrating Rice and the others upon their return, though, and they will have a seamless transition back into the swing of day-to-day life in North London.

The former West Ham United midfielder certainly seemed raring to get going with the Gunners again.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Declan Rice from his girlfriend to height

Declan Rice makes admission upon Arsenal return

Rice was captured on camera striding back into the training ground, in footage shared on the official Arsenal X page.

As he returned, Rice announced: “Good to be back. I’ve actually missed it proper.”

Just as Saka, Saliba, Ramsdale, and Raya were, Rice was all smiles as he came back into the Arsenal fold. Fans of the club will be pleased to hear that he is in positive spirits and eager to get back to work.

Certainly, the 25-year-old will have a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders this season. He is the heartbeat of Arteta’s team in the middle of park, and is relied upon to both protect the back four and have an impact in the final third.

In order to do his job for the team, he needs to be in peak physical condition. As such, it is vital that he makes the most of what remains of pre-season to get himself ready for what is sure to be a gruelling campaign.

Who will partner Declan Rice at Arsenal?

Whilst Rice is a fixture in the Arsenal starting XI, there is currently uncertainty over who will establish themselves alongside him and Martin Odegaard in the midfield trio.

Arteta has hinted that Havertz could play in midfield this season, despite having been unconvincing in that role last time out. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are pushing to sign Mikel Merino, but there are factors holding that deal up.