Many days have passed since Declan Rice was unveiled as a Gunner, but some still don’t understand how Arsenal could pull off such a move. One of these is BBC pundit Stephen Kelly, who is still perplexed as to why Rice did not pursue a move to Manchester City instead of joining Arsenal. But the simple fact is that if Declan Rice wanted to go to Manchester City, he would have easily snubbed Arsenal, but obviously he didn’t!
Before Arsenal made a £105 million all-inclusive winning deal for Declan Rice, Manchester City had firmly entered the race for his services, bidding £90 million (which was, of course, rejected). The Citizens had a chance to improve their offer to West Ham for their midfield engine, but I believe the player didn’t encourage them; it was them he wanted, thus Arsenal won the race as City didn’t opt to outbid them.
Anyway, now at Arsenal, the Englishman has already begun to adjust to his new teammates, but Stephen Kelly is still perplexed as to why he chose Arsenal, as he stated on the BBC Radio Five Live Football Daily Podcast: “It’s phenomenal, and you have to give Arsenal credit – for at one point it looked like City were in the race, and they still managed to say the right things to him to make him choose them if that’s what actually happened, even though I can never understand why a player at this stage of their career would choose Arsenal over City based on what you can achieve.”
Arteta’s Arsenal project has grown from strength to strength; from failing to play in Europe to qualifying for the Europa League, qualifying for Champions League football, and challenging for the league title, there’s clear progression at Arsenal, and Rice may have just seen that and felt joining Arteta’s band was his best move.
Some people know a good thing when they see it.
Sam P
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We won the treble. That’s why
No Mystery.When you realise he used to play for the Spuds.As bitter as hell about it.Completely gutted.Him & Jamie o Hara.
He didn’t choose Arsenal over City, Citys bid was refused and they didn’t come back with another bid.
Stay in London
UCL
Large wages
Those were Rices main reasons, Arsenal was the only 3 that could meet all 3 so it was the logical choice +he’ll get to play more.
But the simple fact is that if Declan Rice wanted to go to Manchester City, he would have easily snubbed Arsenal, but obviously he didn’t!
Enough put, even the dumbest person on earth sees the writing on the wall. Is this Kelly guy okay?
CL
Stays in London
Massive wages
Likely guaranteed to be a starter where he’s bench and rotation at City.
I like Rice, but no way he dislodges Rodri or DeBruyne from a treble winning midfield.
Could be he didn’t want to be caught up in the cheating and fraud by man city over many years. Didn’t want to end up playing in the national league.
The other is it’s better to remain in London than a crime infested slum in the NorthWest
Billy bunter, are you telling me there are no crime infested slums in London then?
You obviously don’t get out much!
You do gace a point regarding the charges made against city and it’s interesting to note that chelsea have, once again, been fined for breaking the rules, while Juve have been kicked out of Europe for the same offence.
Could it be that the PL are going to uphold their own rules at long last regarding city?
Different offences
Wishful thinking re Man (115) City Ken. From what I’ve read on the subject it’ll be couple years at least before a decision which they’ll obviously appeal to hold things up for a year or two more, and in the mean time will just keep on winning all the trophies. Still, when the big verdict comes perhaps they’ll go right out of the league.
I can understand people not wanting to live in the NW, but I wouldn’t think crime would be the issue. Where most of the players live, in Cheshire, it’s really beautiful, and not at all slummy. I think Declan is still Kingston based, so that might be the reason he won’t leave.
He has always said he wanted to be close to his family. His dad is his agent, and his two brothers went to every West Ham (and now Arsenal) game. His mum and dad live within him alongside his own family and all of his closest friends live nearby.
Declan Rice is all about his family and friends and whilst he is keen to win trophies it is not the be all and end all of his life.
Not everyone is attracted to the oil money of Man City.
Rice said no to MAN CITY CHELSEA MAN UNITED BAYERN MUNICH