He’s desperate to improve: Mikel Arteta hails ‘winning mentality’ of Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta has lauded Declan Rice’s “desperate” determination to improve after the midfielder was one of five Arsenal players called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

Rice has contributed five Premier League assists this season – the most of any player in the competition – as well as a Champions League goal, in 14 appearances across all competitions.

The Gunners boss also praised the mindset of Noni Madueke, who was not among the England boss’ selections, and believes he will use his omission as fuel.

Asked what has changed in Rice’s performance, Arteta said: “The mentality to go out and win football matches and to add another level to his game, another kind of threat and be much more unpredictable, and we’ve been working a lot on that.

“He’s desperate to improve every part of his game, and we need to do that while we maintain so many incredible things that he’s already done, but he’s on the right trajectory.”

Arteta agreed Rice had also strengthened his ball progression, and explained his thinking behind dropping the 27-year-old deeper.

“I think we cannot restrict his qualities and his capacities,” Arteta said. “He can drop back, he can progress play. He can drop back, he can carry the ball, he can be incredible in transition.

“He can win duels. He can produce passes by arriving, by playing far, by crossing the ball left or right, it doesn’t matter. On set pieces (too), he’s got a lot to offer. His shooting ability from long range as well is something that we need to use more. He has the capacity to do it. So, continue to go to play because there’s still so much to gain.”

Rice is rumoured to be close to signing a new deal, but Arteta revealed he does not look too far ahead when it comes to conversations with Rice about how he envisions his role on the pitch years down the line.

He said: “We haven’t been that far yet. Obviously, we have still a lot to do. A period of a season, I think it’s enough. There are other things that are part of his role in the team, like the club, which I think they can envision with a bit more time. But what his performance was and impact on the team, I think it has to be short-term.”

Rice joins Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eberechi Eze in the England camp, while Madueke misses out.

“I leave that to Thomas,” Arteta said. “There were so many options, he needs to make decisions, he’s made that one this time and that’s it, I leave that completely to him.”

Arteta was delighted by Madueke’s mentality last international break, when he was also left out of Tuchel’s squad.

“What he did is he went abroad and he trained,” said Arteta. “That’s Noni, and that’s his mindset. He wants to get better.”