Arsene Wenger has revealed that he sees Arsenal's club-record signing of Declan Rice as a good investment in the squads future.
Following weeks of speculation, the former West Ham captain's move to the Emirates was finally confirmed on Saturday, with the £105m fee eclipsing the £100m Man City paid for Jack Grealish to make Rice the most expensive British footballer ever.
After coming agonisingly close to a first Premier League title in nearly two decades last season, Mikel Arteta has been afforded a sizeable war chest to continue his side's progress in 2023-24.
Along with the capture Rice, Arsenal have also signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65m and Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £40m, with further additions expected before the end of the transfer window.
Building a squad with a focus on youth was a hallmark of Wenger's 22-year stint at the Gunners, and he hailed the arrival of Rice at the club as a continuation of that philosophy.
'I think it is a good investment,' Wenger told Eurosport.
'Overall, personally I think they have made good buys as they are players who are now mature, 23,24, and still young so can stay together for a few years.
'They will be under more pressure after last year, but they have learned a lot and they can show they can deal with that pressure now.'
The signings of Rice, Timber and Havertz already rank among the ten highest transfer fees paid in the club's history, with a further four players on the list having signed with the club in the five years since Wegner's departure in 2018.
Reflecting on the funds available to him towards the end of his time in charge, the 73-year-old admitted that he was forced to develop his squad utilising a different approach.
'I had to cope with no money at all, so you have to find a different way.
'Arsenal is now in a good financial situation and bought what they think will win the championship.'
Arsenal's last Premier League triumph came during Wenger's tenure at the club and the Frenchman backed his former side to finally reclaim the title next season.
'I believe we will win the championship, it is as simple as that.'
ReptilianFans
0
He was the one that made them what they’re now, and since then they find coach like him again, this Arteta they’re talking and praising up and down, watch out what will happen to them next season, luck was on their side that most of big clubs in EPL flopped last season and including Man City, City flopped at beginning of league and that gave Arsenal chance to top the league with marginal points, after some of the big clubs recovered their form back, didn’t you see the kind pressure that was on Arsenal side that made them lost the league
LOL. the dwindling form of Arsenal towards the end of last season was due to the very simple fact of: the lack of quality backup players. not because of luck. you don't stay on top for majority of the season from just LUCK. football don't work like that. 🤣🤣🤣
ReptilianFans
1
I don’t think you can overestimate just how big this is, and how important Declan Rice is to what Mikel Arteta wants to do. Much like the Gabriel Jesus deal last summer, the groundwork on this one has been going on for a long time. Arteta pitched this move to the player to such an extent that despite other interest, there was only one place he wanted to be. If you’re determined to develop individually and be a key part of a team that wants to win things, that kind of clear vision must be compelling to a player. Again, he ticks all the Arteta boxes. He’s got huge experience at only 24, his best years are ahead of him, and it’s yet another arrival from a Premier League club. We can talk about his abilities as a player, but when someone like Granit Xhaka leaves, you need to replace some of that dressing room personality. Other players will step up, but Rice was captain of West Ham, and his leadership qualities will have been a big factor in this move too.
Declan Rice is the ball winner. his interception and ball-winning is TOP of the league last season. . that itself is a MAJOR capability.
ReptilianFans
0
Baba that doesn't spent lavish in his era then is even saying 105m for rice is a good investment....give Wenger 100m now if baba won't sign more than 5 world class players....
this era market and his era market are very different! it all started from the transfer of Neymar from Barca to PSG. it broke the market!
Biuimntu
0
wenger don use 105milion for buy rice how yi go buy stew or beans 😄
Biuimntu
1
its a good decision
vudcenprs
2
What else do you expect him to say?
YakubuAutaSaad
0
I don’t think you can overestimate just how big this is, and how important Declan Rice is to what Mikel Arteta wants to do. Much like the Gabriel Jesus deal last summer, the groundwork on this one has been going on for a long time. Arteta pitched this move to the player to such an extent that despite other interest, there was only one place he wanted to be. If you’re determined to develop individually and be a key part of a team that wants to win things, that kind of clear vision must be compelling to a player. Again, he ticks all the Arteta boxes. He’s got huge experience at only 24, his best years are ahead of him, and it’s yet another arrival from a Premier League club. We can talk about his abilities as a player, but when someone like Granit Xhaka leaves, you need to replace some of that dressing room personality. Other players will step up, but Rice was captain of West Ham, and his leadership qualities will have been a big factor in this move too.
thanks mate 🙏
joeadikmuz
0
There are more ways to skin a cat and what truly elevates Rice is his reading of the game. Despite his stocky, 6ft 1in (185cm) frame there is dexterity and sharpness to his movement which, when combined with high-level quickness of thought creates an interception machine. Again, the midfielder made more interceptions (63) than any other Premier League player last season and often surprises the opposition by walking or jogging into position, before springing into life and pouncing on passes. That sixth sense for anticipating where the ball will drop can not only help Arsenal – who play a very high line – defend in transition, but also sustain pressure and keep teams penned in as they search for an escape route.
Well said . You made sense
Bahemptyz
1
One just hope RICE won't turn BEANS on level of delivery
vawaceknry
0
Let wait and see what will happen at next season
AgmBetononi
1
I don’t think you can overestimate just how big this is, and how important Declan Rice is to what Mikel Arteta wants to do. Much like the Gabriel Jesus deal last summer, the groundwork on this one has been going on for a long time. Arteta pitched this move to the player to such an extent that despite other interest, there was only one place he wanted to be. If you’re determined to develop individually and be a key part of a team that wants to win things, that kind of clear vision must be compelling to a player. Again, he ticks all the Arteta boxes. He’s got huge experience at only 24, his best years are ahead of him, and it’s yet another arrival from a Premier League club. We can talk about his abilities as a player, but when someone like Granit Xhaka leaves, you need to replace some of that dressing room personality. Other players will step up, but Rice was captain of West Ham, and his leadership qualities will have been a big factor in this move too.
I could've added more likes if permitted, the leadership part just so true brother
usman2796
2
Baba that doesn't spent lavish in his era then is even saying 105m for rice is a good investment....give Wenger 100m now if baba won't sign more than 5 world class players....
peaceofmind
0
I remember in 2014 Wenger checking Chelsea's training if hazard was in training session
[image]
Who is hazard??🙄
Kohadlmntz
2
you that said you will never spent 50m on a player now your saying is a good business okay we will see what happens next 🙆♂️🙆🤝👍🇳🇬🤔🙄
Chap Kim
0
I remember in 2014 Wenger checking Chelsea's training if hazard was in training session
Achort Okon
1
Yes I too use think Wenger was the owner of Arsenal especially his names and towering figure and coaching and recruitment of players
Echee27
0
I don’t know why …. But ever since i was a child watching football I always thought Arsene Wenger was the coach AND OWNER of Arsenal 😂😅
He was the one that made them what they’re now, and since then they find coach like him again, this Arteta they’re talking and praising up and down, watch out what will happen to them next season, luck was on their side that most of big clubs in EPL flopped last season and including Man City, City flopped at beginning of league and that gave Arsenal chance to top the league with marginal points, after some of the big clubs recovered their form back, didn’t you see the kind pressure that was on Arsenal side that made them lost the league
Hiuaikrsyz
0
after paying this much to acquire Rice, how much would she spend on stew?.
YakubuAutaSaad
2
There are more ways to skin a cat and what truly elevates Rice is his reading of the game. Despite his stocky, 6ft 1in (185cm) frame there is dexterity and sharpness to his movement which, when combined with high-level quickness of thought creates an interception machine. Again, the midfielder made more interceptions (63) than any other Premier League player last season and often surprises the opposition by walking or jogging into position, before springing into life and pouncing on passes. That sixth sense for anticipating where the ball will drop can not only help Arsenal – who play a very high line – defend in transition, but also sustain pressure and keep teams penned in as they search for an escape route.
YakubuAutaSaad
1
I don’t think you can overestimate just how big this is, and how important Declan Rice is to what Mikel Arteta wants to do. Much like the Gabriel Jesus deal last summer, the groundwork on this one has been going on for a long time. Arteta pitched this move to the player to such an extent that despite other interest, there was only one place he wanted to be. If you’re determined to develop individually and be a key part of a team that wants to win things, that kind of clear vision must be compelling to a player. Again, he ticks all the Arteta boxes. He’s got huge experience at only 24, his best years are ahead of him, and it’s yet another arrival from a Premier League club. We can talk about his abilities as a player, but when someone like Granit Xhaka leaves, you need to replace some of that dressing room personality. Other players will step up, but Rice was captain of West Ham, and his leadership qualities will have been a big factor in this move too.
fekbstyz
2
I don’t know why …. But ever since i was a child watching football I always thought Arsene Wenger was the coach AND OWNER of Arsenal 😂😅