Declan Rice reveals why Arsenal teammates think he’s a ‘mad man’ – they can’t believe what he does in training

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Declan Rice has been in exceptional form for Arsenal in recent months, despite Mikel Arteta’s team’s occasional struggles.

The Gunners haven’t lost a Premier League game in each of their last 14 matches, but still sit six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

Frustrating draws against the likes of Brighton and Aston Villa, as well as exits from the domestic cups, have put a sour note on proceedings in N5.

However, Rice has stepped up since Christmas, performing consistently well in a period of adversity for Arsenal.

The Englishman is enjoying a break in Dubai with the rest of the squad, and this well-earned rest could see him express even greater energy levels in upcoming matches.

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Declan Rice reveals what Arsenal teammates think of him

Since signing from West Ham for £100 million in the summer of 2023, Rice has been a dependable option at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.

Starting 57 out of 62 of the Gunners’ league games since his arrival, the 26-year-old is constantly available, demonstrating elite durability and athletic capabilities.

Arteta has waxed lyrical about Rice for some time now, and it appears the player’s teammates are equally in awe at his physical levels.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former West Ham man revealed that the Arsenal dressing room call him a ‘horse’ and a ‘mad man’.

“[Oleksandr] Zinchenko started it [the nickname], and then Jorginho went with it,” he said.

“Now everyone starts calling me it.

“I think it’s because they think I can run all day, that I’m athletic, my ability to go again, my sustainability and availability to the team.

“Even two days since the last game, I’m running around in training and they’re thinking I’m a mad man. I don’t mind the nickname but I just have to keep it going.”

Rice admitted that he started the season poorly back in November, with the impacts of playing almost every minute at Euro 2024 clearly hindering him.

However, the imperious central midfielder clearly fought off these cobwebs, and has found his domineering self again in recent months.

Declan Rices’s Arsenal statistics 2024/25

Incredibly industrious, Rice’s on the ball work may go somewhat under the radar at times.

The statistics suggest he is a prolific progresser of the ball through passing and carrying, producing these numbers whilst maintaining his defensive output.

However, the data does show one area where he could still add layers to his game.

Question marks about Rice in the final third have been raised at times, and the numbers indicate that these concerns are valid.

Conventionally a deeper midfielder, he’s been tasked with finding himself in advanced areas and providing both a creative and goal threat under Arteta.

Creatively he’s delivered – mostly through set pieces – but he’s scored just once in the league this season and is managing just over one shot per game.

If he can rediscover some goal-scoring form, Rice will arguably be the most accomplished midfielder in the English top flight.