‘Morning, Horse!’ – How Rice Got His Arsenal Nickname
Declan Rice has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers since his blockbuster move from West Ham United last summer, but behind the scenes, the England international has also become the subject of some amusing dressing room banter. Speaking about his time at Arsenal, Rice recently revealed the unusual nickname his teammates have given him – ‘Horse.’
Zinchenko Starts the Joke
Rice admitted that before joining Arsenal, he never had a nickname. However, that changed when Oleksandr Zinchenko playfully dubbed him ‘Horse’ due to his tireless running on the pitch.
“I’ve never had a nickname until I went to Arsenal. Everyone at Arsenal calls me Horse,” Rice shared in an interview. “In the morning, even the nutritionist says ‘Morning, Horse.’ Zinchenko started it all. He just started it off. He says, ‘You are a horse, man.’ He was like, ‘You run like a horse, back and forth.’ I was like, ‘Okay, fair enough.’”
The Joke Spreads Across the Squad
Once Zinchenko started the nickname, it didn’t take long for others in the Arsenal squad to join in on the joke. Jorginho, another experienced member of the team, quickly picked up on it, and soon enough, ‘Horse’ became Rice’s new identity at the club.
“It was so funny,” Rice continued. “I had a notification on Instagram the other day where Zinchenko sent me a video, and I was like, ‘What is that?’ He sent me this video of a horse running on a beach and was like, ‘This is you.’ Mate, it’s so random.”
Rice Embraces His New Identity
Despite the randomness of the nickname, Rice has taken it all in good spirits. The midfielder’s high-energy playing style and relentless work rate make the comparison somewhat fitting. He is often seen covering vast amounts of ground in Arsenal’s midfield, breaking up play, and driving the team forward, much like the endurance of a racehorse.
This nickname is just another example of the strong bond within Mikel Arteta’s squad. The chemistry among players, both on and off the pitch, has been a key factor in Arsenal’s resurgence as they continue their pursuit of major trophies.
Rice’s Impact at Arsenal
Beyond the humorous side of things, Rice’s influence on the pitch has been immense. His ability to dictate the tempo, recover possession, and contribute both defensively and offensively has been a huge boost for the Gunners. Arsenal fans will be delighted to see that not only has Rice seamlessly fit into Arteta’s system, but he has also become a beloved figure in the dressing room.
As Arsenal continue to push for silverware in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, Rice will undoubtedly play a crucial role. Whether he’s called Declan or ‘Horse,’ one thing is certain—his performances speak for themselves, and Arsenal fans couldn’t be happier to have him.