Mikel Arteta was absolutely convinced that Arsenal would go to another level when he signed Declan Rice from West Ham United.
The Gunners had spent big money in the past, but it was in 2023 that they showed the world that they really mean business.
Arsenal struck a mammoth £105 million deal to sign Rice, and the Englishman has been absolutely incredible since.
The midfielder has now opened up on one of his biggest strengths and how Mikel Arteta brought it out of him.
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Declan Rice says nobody thought he was capable of set-pieces before Mikel Arteta
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are arguably the two best corner takers in the world.
The Gunners have been absolutely incredible in set-pieces over the last few years, and Nicolas Jover deserves a lot of credit for that.
One of the biggest decisions that Jover, along with Arteta, took was appointing Rice as the club’s first-choice right-footed set-piece taker.
Even the Englishman didn’t know he was capable of that, nor did anyone else in football.
Arteta made it happen, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Speaking about the decision, Rice said, as per ESPN: “I wouldn’t ever take corners or set pieces, but Nico and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t.
“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.
“As time has gone on, I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.
“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”
Are Arsenal the best set-piece team in Premier League history?
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka’s set-pieces could help England make history
Thomas Tuchel is a lucky man because he has the two best set-piece takers available at his disposal for the biggest tournament in world football.
Even rival fans were in awe of Rice’s corners during the game against Croatia – that’s how incredible he is.
With Saka capable of the same on the other side, England could find a way to score against any side in the competition.
That could prove to be the difference in this World Cup, and they could finally go all the way.
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