Declan Rice makes Arsenal’s ‘Team better’ says Mikel Arteta

Declan Rice was Arsenal’s No. 1 target this summer, and with his signature secured, Mikel Arteta has detailed exactly what he will bring to the table.

After months of negotiating and the pain-staking wait for Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal to be official, now the England international is a Gunner.

With such a willingness to do everything needed to sign the West Ham captain, we now can an understanding of why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal were so keen to bring to north London.

Turns out Rice is everything Arteta wants in a player.

"“I see him like a lighthouse, he will light (up) the others and improve the others, and make the team better,” Arteta said via Arsenal.com. The way he talks, the ambition he has and the passion for the game is exactly what we need.”"

With Granit Xhaka moved on to Bayer Leverkusen for a fee believed to be around £21.5m per The Mirror, and with Thomas Partey the subject of interest this summer as well, the Gunners midfield could look rather thin.

But for Arteta, Rice has the physical qualities needed to thrive in his system while also adding that the England star will bring everyone up a level as the club hunts for that elusive Premier League title.

"“He’s got the physical qualities that we’ve been missing for a while, that’s why we had to do what we had to do to get him, because he’s really important for us,” Arteta said. “A while ago we spoke about players that could complement each other, give us more flexibility, more depth and more quality, and take a winning hunger into the team with players who really want to push themselves to a different level.”"

With Rice joining Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber as the main incomings, many feel that outgoings will now take priority, with striker Folarin Balogun reportedly attracting interest from Serie A side Inter Milan with CBS Sports reporting that a €40m offer might be forthcoming.

Others in Kieran Tierney, Nicolas Pepe, and Rob Holding could all see themselves subject of interest as funds are likely needed for the club to pursue any remaining targets this summer.

For Arsenal, though, having strengthened the squad as much already, some feel that one or two more signings are needed for the Gunners to have an outstanding window.

But for now, Rice, Timber, and Havertz will have to do.