Declan Rice has revealed the main reason why he chose to join Arsenal instead of Manchester City last summer.
The two clubs had been in a tug of war to sign the much revered West Ham and England midfielder in July, with Mail Sport reporting that City ultimately pulled out of the race to land the 25-year-old.
Pep Guardiola's side were unwilling to stretch to West Ham's asking price of £105million, with Rice ultimately joining Mikel Arteta's side, where he has gone on to enjoy a sensational season, leading the Gunners to the top of the Premier League standings.
With things heating up in the title race, Arsenal now need to win all of their remaining league matches, and hope that City drop points in the run-in. Guardiola's side sit one point behind Arsenal in the league standings and have a game in hand on the Gunners.
While his side need to hope City can drop points in their remaining four league matches, Rice, who has been integral for Arsenal this season, he insists he has no regrets on his decision to join the north London outfit, adding that he was enticed to Arteta's team because of the size of the project.
Declan Rice has revealed the main reason why he joined Arsenal over Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's side were in the running to sign the England midfielder last summer
Rice was ultimately snapped up by Arsenal, joining the north London club in a £105m transfer
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Rice was asked about the hypothetical scenario that if he had joined the Treble winners, he could have been playing alongside Rodri in midfield.
'I know,' he said. 'But this project [Arsenal] seemed more exciting and that's why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we're on to big things here.'
He has been pivotal to Arsenal's performances this season, with Rice scoring six goals in 35 Premier League appearances, guiding Arteta's side to the top of the table.
Rodri, meanwhile, has continued to impress following on from his standout 2022-23 season, helping Man City keep the pressure on Arsenal throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Rice revealed that he relished his battles with the Spaniard's battles in the centre of the park, noting that both midfielders have a different style of play, while claiming that Rodri was the best in the world at his craft.
'Good. I enjoy it,' he said when quizzed on what it's like to play against Rodri. 'We're different players, I feel.
'With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he's always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he's worked under Pep (Guardiola) for so long.
'He's a lot more structured than I am. I'd say I'm a lot more off-the-cuff. Obviously, this season I've been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like… being free a little bit more.
The England midfielder added: 'There are different things that we complement each other on — but no doubt, he's the best in the world.'
Rice claimed that Rodri (pictured) was 'no doubt the best midfielder in the world' right now
The Arsenal star said that he 'relished' playing vs Rodri and that they had some similarities
In April last year, Arsenal, who had gone top of the Premier League standings, conceded three draws to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton, before suffering a 4-1 defeat by Man City.
It was during those four matches that Arsenal effectively surrendered what would have been their first league title since 2004 to City.
This season, Rice has helped Arsenal motor their way back to the top of the league but will need Man City to drop points in the run-in if they are to finally end their wait to win the Premier League.
Should both Arsenal and City win the remainder of their matches, the Gunners will finish two points behind Guardiola's side in second place.
Rice has enjoyed a fantastic season in Arsenal's midfield, scoring eight times in the top-flight
Rodri said his side will work hard to retain their crown as things are heating up in the title race
City, meanwhile, are in action against Wolves on Saturday evening, before taking on Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham.
With things heating up at the top of the table, Rodri has insisted his side will do everything in their power to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
‘It would be history. No team has won four Premier League titles in a row and we want to be the first,' he said.
'We need to keep those blue ribbons on the trophy and we will do everything we can from now until the end of the season to do that.’
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