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David Dein says one Arteta signing has really improved Arsenal; he’s got so much talent

Jordan Harris

Sun 19 November 2023 21:45, UK

David Dein has given Arsenal signing Declan Rice for £105 million his approval, insisting that he has definitely improved the club’s midfield.

Dein was speaking on when asked whether he would sanction such a deal for the England international if he was still at the Emirates.

David Dein lauds Declan Rice

Declan Rice was one of the big movers in the summer. He became the club’s record signing after leading West Ham to Europa Conference League glory last season.

Some may have feared that the 24-year-old may struggle to live up to expectations. But Rice has taken absolutely no time to become an absolutely vital player for Mikel Arteta‘s side.

Rio Ferdinand noted that no-one is now talking about the fee which Arsenal paid for Rice. Meanwhile, Danny Murphy admitted that he was almost surprised by how quickly Rice has settled in.

The Gunners’ former vice-chairman David Dein was asked about the club’s decision to spend so much on Rice in the summer. And he suggested that it was money well spent.

“Certainly, they’ve improved the team by putting Declan Rice in. He’s a great player and you can see, I think, he’s added to the midfield,” he told .

“I think he is exciting. He’s got a lot of talent. And I think £105 million, it rolls off the tongue very easily. But yeah, if we had the money, I’d have certainly gone and bought him, yes.”

Midfielder could be an Arsenal stalwart for the next decade

The scary thing about Rice is that he may still be some way off reaching the peak of his career. He has played more than 300 games for club and country to date. And given that he is someone who barely misses a game due to injury, he could be such an important player for so many years to come.

And he is surrounded by players who will improve further, too.

Arsenal deserve huge credit for taking the gamble on Rice. It would have definitely set them back a long, long way had the move not worked out.

But the move has definitely paid off. And Arsenal have a star player for potentially the next decade.