Declan Rice now gives his verdict on Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss charged by FA

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the FA for comments he made about Premier League referees, and Declan Rice has now weighed in on the situation.

Rice arrived at Arsenal for a club-record fee this summer, and has been exceptional in the middle of the park.

Arsenal have lost just one league game since Rice’s arrival, and that came in controversial circumstances against Newcastle.

Arteta was furious in the aftermath of the game, and his fury has been criticised by many including former chairman David Dein.

Declan Rice opens up on refereeing controversy

Speaking in a press conference ahead of England’s match against North Macedonia, Rice gave his verdict on what he thinks about the current scrutiny over referee decisions and VAR.

“It is one of those things, you are going to get decisions that go your way and those that don’t go your way,” Rice stated.

“At the minute it is a bit up in the air because some decisions being made are the wrong decisions, some are right, but we are just there to play football and it is down to the authorities to decide – the people at Stockley Park and the referees.”

Arteta and Rice’s different reactions

Rice has had a near-opposite reaction to his manager following the events at St James’ Park.

The midfielder has kept a cool head and has remained focused on performances, with his comments hinting that there is a level of trust between the players and match officials when it comes to decisions.

This makes Arteta’s outburst more justifiable. His playing squad are clearly focused on executing his game plan without trying to focus on the referees, but when incorrect decisions affecting them are made, then it is the players who suffer the bad results.

Arteta is waiting to see what kind of punishment is handed to him, and if he is given a touchline ban, the team could be affected given how much of an active presence he has during games.

Rice is already one of Arteta’s key leaders on the pitch, and should Arsenal be without their manager, the England international will be someone who steps up to command authority in his absence.

The 24-year-old has been sensational, earning praise from pundits and teammates for his consistently strong performances, but Arsenal may still enter the market for a midfielder with Thomas Partey continuing to struggle with injury, and the Gunners still feeling the departure of Granit Xhaka.