Why I Snubbed Guardiola For Arteta - Rice

Arsenal's latest acquisition, midfielder Declan Rice, has unveiled the pivotal role played by manager Mikel Arteta in luring him to the Emirates Stadium, edging out formidable contenders Manchester City and Chelsea. The Gunners secured the services of Rice in a blockbuster £105 million deal, effectively trumping their Premier League rivals in what was a high-stakes pursuit. Earlier in the transfer window, Manchester City had emerged as frontrunners, particularly with their recent triumphant treble under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. On why he snubbed Guardiola, Rice told Channel 4: “I have to say the manager, Mikel. I think just from the moment that I met him, I knew he was the one I wanted to take on the next part of my career. “Just the way he spoke, his aura, the way he sees the game, the way he wants to play football, and I think we’ve seen Arsenal the way they’ve played the last two years, the way they’ve played as a team, I really see myself fitting in.”