'Arteta knows how to get the best out of me' - Rice

Since Declan Rice's £105m record signing move to Arsenal in 2023, the 26-year-old has proved to be an important figure in Mikel Arteta's title pursuit.

The English midfielder is now in the midst of his third league campaign at the Emirates and has featured in 92 out of a possible 96 Premier League games.

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Speaking to Arsenal's club media, Rice praised Arteta for his man-management.

"The good thing is with the manager, he knows when to put the knife in me, just to give me a nudge, he knows how to get the best out of me," he said.

"I love to listen, I love to take it all in. Since then, I've just gone on and the games are coming so thick and fast so I'm just trying to play consistently well," said Rice.

In a time where some senior experienced professionals believe they should have a starting shirt, Rice denies there being any meritocracy in the Arsenal camp.

"This is a club where there's fierce competition and nothing's ever guaranteed, so you need to be able to be on it every single day and every single week just to keep your place."

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Arteta is now into his seventh season at Arsenal and he is yet to lead the Gunners to the Premier League title.

However, Arsenal's momentum cannot be ignored, and as other teams have dropped points, the Gunners have a five-game unbeaten run in the top flight.

"We're in the position we're in because we have amazing players, we have an incredible manager, we have a team that are fully buying into what the manager wants and we're going out on the pitch at the minute and things are falling into place," added Rice.