Hyrra Features the Latest and Most Talked-About Topstories News and Headlines from Around the World.
⎯ 《 Hyrra • Com 》

Declan Rice recalls first meeting with Mikel Arteta & memories of Bukayo Saka

2023-07-26 01:27
Declan Rice reveals memories of his first meeting with Mikel Arteta & watching Bukayo Saka as a youngster.
Declan Rice recalls first meeting with Mikel Arteta & memories of Bukayo Saka

Declan Rice has recalled the 'surreal' moment he first met Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after sealing his £105m move to the Gunners this summer.

The midfielder had suitors from across the Premier League but soon decided to take his talents to the Emirates Stadium where, alongside Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, he headlines a summer spend of over £200m.

It was inside the stadium that Rice first came face-to-face with Arteta, and the 24-year-old has revealed the impact of that meeting with his new boss.

"When I signed I was speaking to the manager and when we were stood there looking out from the box, it was so surreal," he told club media. "What a stadium and we're very lucky to play our home football there.

"Last year, the place was crazy with the atmosphere and the fans. Some of the games...hopefully this year we can go one better and excite the fans even more."

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Rice was being interviewed alongside new club teammate Bukayo Saka and actually revealed he has been tracking the Arsenal winger's career for longer than expected.

"You wouldn't have known this but I watched you play for England's Under-17s at St George's [Park] or Under-18s," Rice told Saka.

"He played left wing-back, that's when I first saw Saka, the growth since then has just been crazy! Straight away everyone just loved him just because of just how he is, he's happy and on the training pitch he works so hard.

"I think he had the respect of everyone straight away."

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the sensational developments around Kylian Mbappe and Saudi Arabia, Harry Kane's Tottenham future after intervention from the club's owners, Mohammed Kudus, Bernardo Silva, Conor Gallagher & more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as Declan Rice recalls first meeting with Mikel Arteta & memories of Bukayo Saka.