“We Love It” – Declan Rice Co-signs Mikel Arteta’s Comments This Week

Declan Rice says the players love Arteta’s passion…

Arsenal powerhouse Declan Rice backed his manager and the comments he made in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle United and revealed the players “love it”, he told TNT Sports.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s comfortable win against Sevilla to leave us on the brink of qualifying for the next round, Rice was asked about the mood in the camp following a controversial week.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have been contacted by the FA to question them further on comments made about the officiating at St James’s Park, but Rice has made it clear that doesn’t alter how the players view the manager’s words.

The players certainly backed up Rice’s thoughts with the performance against the Europa League holders. It was a faultless European display illustrated by Sevilla registering their first shot in the 95th minute.

“Yeah, we love it,” Rice told the broadcaster.

“I think you see how passionate he is. I think he sometimes gets criticised for how he is on the sidelines, but, you know, he’s living the game through us.

“He’s so energetic and the way he speaks, he’s like a teacher in the changing room and that really fires us up for the game and I think that’s what he’s really really good at.”

Arteta’s comments were always likely to create a siege mentality, especially given the predictable reaction from the football world.

The club’s unity will strengthen further if the FA take the absurd route of charging us for simply providing analysis of the officiating in a high-profile game.