Arsenal Are A Little Calm To Have Declan Rice Who Will Duel With The Chelsea Midfielder Duo

Declan Rice became Arsenal's key figure to face Chelsea (Instagram/@arsenal).

JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta believes there will still be many coming from Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice ahead of Sunday, November 30, 2025, WIB night, against tough duo Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

The trio costs more than 300 million pounds (approximately IDR 6.6 trillion) overall, and is the best player in the Premier League this season.

Rice this week revealed that he chose Caicedo in his best team for the 2024/2025 season as the debate over the best players continued.

However, Arteta supported the Briton to level up with impressive consistency over the past 12 months.

"Maybe a year or two ago, yes, but now with him every day, understand and connect with him as I have done, we will get more."

"Because he wants more, the team knows him better, his role is growing around the team. The impact on the team is huge."

"I've known him for a long time (before joining) and I know how he can develop and change the team. He's definitely done it and may go beyond those expectations," Arteta said of Rice.

Rice's best performance at West Ham took place in a deeper position, right in front of the defense. However, Arteta has opened a new level in his game with the role of a more advanced midfielder.

The Gunners manager couldn't remember any particular game convincing him to sign Rice, but was always thinking about his current position.

"I have to think about it, but often, if you have the opportunity to see a player directly and feel it, feel the energy, presence, and charisma, above the quality, that's something different."

"Maybe when he was there, I said, he was a special player. To be honest, I've had this one, I have other positions that are a little more backward to do something else."

"He can adapt to whatever you give him. Right now, that's what we're thinking, up front may be much more positive for the team," said the Spanish manager.

Rice's status as a leader at Arsenal has grown in recent seasons. He has shown his desire to lead the club to win trophies.

"Very much. Obviously he's the captain of West Ham. He came here, to a new club, a new neighborhood, and some things have been set, but he has the right to step up that role."

"More importantly, to always be present in everything we do, he is in the leadership group, which is very important."

"He's a real figure. He doesn't need to wear the captain's armband to feel completely connected, really in power, and really important in the team," said Arteta again.