Declan Rice urged Eberechi Eze to contact Mikel Arteta as Tottenham closed in, helping the boyhood Gunner secure his dream transfer.
Eberechi Eze credits Declan Rice for a pivotal moment in his career, saying it was Rice’s advice to reach out to Mikel Arteta that set his return to Arsenal in motion.
At the time, Tottenham looked set to land the attacking midfielder, but Rice stepped in, urging his England teammate to pick up the phone and speak directly with the Arsenal manager.
Eze grew up supporting the Gunners and spent his early years at Hale End, though his path to senior football took him elsewhere before circling back. The chance to return was always going to mean something, but it was Rice’s intervention that made the crucial difference.
“I'm only here because Declan told me to just call him.”
Eze saw more than coincidence in the timing. Rice’s message landed just as his future hung in the balance, giving him the chance to hear Arteta’s vision before making any final decision.
The deal was wrapped up in time for Eze to be unveiled at the Emirates, just before Arsenal’s first home game of the season against Leeds United.
Coming back to his boyhood club ticked off a personal ambition, but what struck Eze most after joining was seeing first-hand how Arteta had built a title-winning side.
It was the attention to detail around the training ground that stood out to Eze. Instead of singling out one tactical tweak or instruction, he noticed it was the daily habits that set the tone.
“I've learned and realised everything matters. There's not one thing that you do that is neutral. It's either helping you or it's not helping,” he said.
“So I've noticed the importance of attitude, mindset, the conversations you have, your application every single day. I can see that it's those little details that make the difference along the way.”
It’s clear from his words that this was about more than just coming home.
Eze walked into a club where the standards that delivered the title were already in place. His challenge was to meet the demands that had taken Arteta’s side from nearly-men to champions.
For Eze, Arteta’s influence goes beyond results or tactics. The manager has changed the way the club operates and how the team sees itself.
“What Mikel has done is special. I don't think you'll understand the effect he's had and what it takes to create something like he's done,” Eze added.
“He's come in and completely changed the whole identity and turned it into something else and put it in motion and allowed it to express itself and be free.”
Eze’s reflections underline just how important Arteta was in convincing him Arsenal was the right move, especially with Tottenham pushing hard for his signature.
That call, set up thanks to Rice, gave Arteta the chance to lay out his vision in person. For Eze, the standards he found at Arsenal were every bit as compelling as the emotional pull of coming home.
“The opportunity that's provided is just insane. I have to thank him massively for that. I love that we were able to do this for him and to achieve this for him.”
Rice gave him the nudge. Arteta opened the door. Once Eze stepped through, he saw for himself why the wait had been worth it.