It was one of the summer soap operas on the transfer market. However, after weeks of negotiations and rumors, each more outlandish than the last, Declan Rice stayed in London and swapped the West Ham jersey to put on that of Arsenal. A decision that made sense given the Gunners' good season and the play displayed by Mikel Arteta's flock. However, the 25-year-old midfielder had the opportunity to join Manchester City. Author of a remarkable hat-trick last season and which notably prevented Arsenal from being champion 20 years later, the Mancunian team had lined up huge sums of money to attract the international from the Three Lions. However, Rice did not hesitate and still chose Arsenal.
And while the two rivals face each other this Sunday, Pep Guardiola returned at a press conference to this fierce fight to recruit the English sentinel this summer: “Rice's refusal? Sometimes here it happens that there are a lot of players that we want and who decide not to join us. He's not the first one we wanted and didn't want to sign. We have a long list. Basically, he didn't want to come for all the money in the world or anything, so it didn't happen. He's made his decision, it's good and we wish him good luck.” All the Premier League teams have reportedly signed Declan Rice. He is the international captain of the England team and a young player who plays regularly in many matches. This is why Arsenal put a lot of pressure on him to recruit him.»
