Mikel Arteta pulled Declan Rice into his office earlier this season, with the Arsenal manager unhappy at several things his midfielder was not doing well enough
Matthew Abbott
12:31, 08 Jan 2026Updated 12:44, 08 Jan 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice during a training session
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had Declan Rice in his office earlier this season(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice says Mikel Arteta pulled him into his office earlier this season because the Arsenal manager was unhappy with the midfielder's performances.
Arteta substituted Rice late on during their first Premier League match against Manchester United, a 1-0 win at Old Trafford. The next game then saw him assist Jurrien Timber's opening goal in the 5-0 win over Leeds United.
Rice started their next fixture, a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, but then dropped down to the bench when the Gunners next played, a 3-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest. Arteta explained that decision as an attempt at "finding that right balance, making sure everybody is connected".
That remains the only league game Rice has not started this season when fit. The midfielder has now spoken about his slow start to the campaign and lifted the lid on the frank chat Arteta had with him.
Rice told Sky: "At the start of the season, the manager pushed me a lot. I think after two games, I was in his office. He pulled me in. He wasn't happy about a few things."
He explained: "There were a few clips, just of things that I wasn't doing right. Things that are basics, in terms of running and tracking your men and with the ball, positional-wise, that he wasn't too happy with.
"At the start of the season, I realised myself I probably wasn't at my best level. The good thing with this manager is that he knows when to put the knife in me in a little bit, just to give me a nudge, and he knows that will get the best out of me.
"Because I love to listen, I love to take it all in. I don't see that as a bad thing that he has told me that. When he said that to me, I said to myself: 'I do need to up it here!'"
Months later, Arteta is more than happy to praise Rice publicly, with the midfielder arguably being the club's standout performer in what has so far been a brilliant season. Asked if he is among the best midfielders in the world after his two goals in the 3-2 win over Bournemouth, the Arsenal manager said: "Yes, for me, yes.
"Declan is constantly adding things to his game; he's constantly adding things to his role in the team. I don't see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas, and he wants to improve. He's such a pivotal player for us."
Arteta also acknowledged the effort Rice put in to recover from the injury that prevented him from playing against Aston Villa to feature on the south coast. He said: "Every hour for him was important to be able to be available.
"We didn't know how long [he could play for]. So in the manner that he competed, played, and on top of that scored two goals, I think it was outstanding and a really big message for the team.
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"He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it.
"He tried in the morning; he was nowhere near a possibility. He wanted to train the next day; it wasn't a possibility.
"Until the last minute, I asked him [before Bournemouth], 'How are you feeling?' He said, 'I'm in.' And he showed that he was big-time in."