Declan Rice started this season below his usual performance level.
The 26-year-old played against Manchester United and Leeds United early in the season. Although he wasn’t poor, he did not meet his typical standards.
Rice recognized this himself, but Arteta called him into his office at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for a straightforward discussion about his performance.
This conversation seemed to have an effect. The former West Ham midfielder later shared that it helped him understand he needed to improve.
“At the start of the season, the manager pushed me a lot. After two games, I found myself in his office. He wasn’t satisfied with a few things,” he told Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
When asked about Arteta’s feedback, Rice explained: “He showed me clips of things I wasn’t doing right. Basic things like tracking back and positioning on the ball that he wasn’t happy with.
“I realized at the beginning of the season that I probably wasn’t at my best level.”
Rice praised Arteta’s approach, saying: “The good thing about this manager is that he knows when to give me a push to get the best out of me.
“I love to learn and take feedback. I don’t see it as a negative when he tells me that. When he mentioned it, I thought to myself: ‘I need to step it up!’”
Declan Rice’s reaction to Mikel Arteta’s feedback
Rice took Arteta’s advice seriously, and it has shown in his performance.
After a slow start, he has become one of the key players for the manager.
His consistent strong performances have gained recognition, positioning him as one of the top midfielders in the sport.
If he maintains this level of play, it could significantly contribute to Arsenal‘s push for the Premier League title.
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