![\"Declan](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/130397972_rice4-696x392.jpg\" "\\"Declan")
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says \u00a3100m signing Declan Rice can be a \u201clighthouse\u201d for the Gunners and the midfielder is \u201cexactly what we needed\u201d.<\/p>\n
Rice, 24, has\u00a0joined from West Ham\u00a0in a deal that could rise to \u00a3105m.<\/p>\n
He is their third signing after forward Kai Havertz joined from Chelsea in a \u00a365m deal and defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for \u00a334m.<\/p>\n
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Arsenal were second last season behind Manchester City, despite leading for most of the Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see him like a lighthouse,\u201d Arteta said of England international Rice. \u201cHe is willing to put the light in others, improve others and make the team better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe discussed a while ago how he could evolve the team and compliment the players and take that winning hunger into a team with players who really want to push themselves to a different level.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has an aura. The experience he has in this league is going to bring the team to a different dimension. He has the physical qualities we were missing for a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way he talks and presents himself. The ambition he has and his passion for the game is exactly what we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rice was restricted to bike work in the first part of training in Washington before Arsenal\u2019s opening pre-season game against Wayne Rooney\u2019s MLS All-Stars on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It meant he got a first-hand view of a team that, after exceeding all expectations to challenge for the Premier League for three quarters of last season, eventually had to settle for second place.<\/p>\n
They have certainly kicked on since. Their \u00a3200m-plus summer transfer spend is the highest in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
It is not just the signings Arsenal have made \u2013 the speed with which they have made them has also impressed.<\/p>\n
Arteta now has a full month to work with them before the opening Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on 12 August.<\/p>\n
Now, the pressure is on. Even legendary former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recognises it, tipping the Gunners\u00a0to win the league,\u00a0while Arteta certainly feels it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor sure,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter what we did last year, a lot of people are going to talk about what is next.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the end, it will be about playing better and earning the right to win every match.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made some important signings, like other teams are doing, but when you are Arsenal, you have to handle that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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