Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender, has issued a warning to Declan Rice, the imminent new Arsenal signing, stating that he will need to elevate his performance and meet a higher standard than he did at West Ham.
Arsenal secured Rice’s signature, subject to his medical, after an extended pursuit throughout the summer transfer window. The Gunners have invested a significant fee to acquire the midfielder and now await his contributions to justify the hefty price tag.
Rice is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest players and arguably the standout performer at West Ham, which explains why Arsenal broke their transfer record to secure his services.
However, Ferdinand suggests that when Rice joins Arsenal, he will be surrounded by teammates who are potentially superior to him, and therefore he must raise his game to match the level of his new colleagues.
The Manchester United legend said on his YouTube channel:
‘Declan Rice will have loved it at West Ham, what a way to sign off. But the difference is that he’s going to be joining a team that are going to be challenging for the league. All the big trophies that they’re in for they’re going to be trying to win those things, it’s not about just competing.’
‘And I think that’s going to be a difference. What we need to see now is, can he step up that level? Can he go up to that level and the expectation now which is different, the demands on him which are different. More is going to be asked of him maybe in an Arsenal shirt than what he was doing at West Ham.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Rice is getting into new territory, but he is one of the finest players in England and did well at the last World Cup for his country, so we expect him to deliver top performances for us.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
It’s good to hear some Manu ex players complimenting Arsenal players. How time flies and how things can change. Thank you Ferdinand for accepting that Rice is going to meet players in arsenal who are better than him
We have so many players in the squad who have proved the doubters wrong last season. I hope this season they are more likely to engage an upper gear and take us where we want to be. The new additions will be a compliment to this upsurge.
Smacks of jealousy. Would rio have these concerns if Rice signed for MU? No.
Rio is just been a professional, well said from a prem legend. He acknowledged Arsenal fc even last season when arsenal were rocking the league…
Let me see if I understand exactly what the veteran Rio Ferdinand is saying.
1. Rice will need to elevate his game to meet what Arsenal expect. 2. Rice will be surrounded by players superior to him. 3. Rice needs to justify the hefty price tag. No pressure!
But what if plain Rice rice doesn’t rise to the occasion? Answer: The most expensive (105M) flop or deadwood in the history of the Club, by a country mile.
Nicolas Pepe would be ecstatic.
Rice helped the Hammers to their first European cup something none of the Arsenal players – recent past and present have achieved, so to say they are all better than the Hammers is wrong.
Some called Kai a CFC flop, but that single goal handed them the UCL. Flops never rise to to occasion -the assist king, Laca and the like (and some of their pals on JA)
These are big game players – men who do not buck under pressure, leaders on the pitch. For those calling Xhaka a “leader” can someone tell me what has he won at AFC other than the FA? Don’t get me wrong, I value the player but going overboard calling him a leader, etc is exaggerating too much.
You’re wrong when comparing a player who wins trophy to a player who shows leadership. Granit Xhaka is not an excellent player but he’s a complete leader. Xhaka has all charismatic feature of leadership and when in the pitch, you’ll actually see that in the whole team. Being an excellent player doesn’t make you a leader.
To me Declan rice has been price above his value & that worries me alot. We have other better players playing the same position & not as expensive as Declan. Well we have better players in arsenal is better for him to seat up or he will find his place in bench. Please some one should tell arteta to keep Balogun cos we need him or he Arteta will regret his Action in d future.
I wonder who told Rio that he knows a lot about football. Can he shut up and watch people who can coach top team (MA) makes Arsenal perform great. You are a sad, old jealous former player. You so wish you could be Arteta.
Thats a top comment from Rio. He’s not taking a dig at Declan or Arsenal.
Ferdinand has a good point.
If Arsenal keep both Partey and Xhaka, and the duo hit the heights they frequently did last season, Rice will not just stroll into that midfield. He would need to really lift his game to dislodge them. I think that’s the point Rio is making; and I agree.
That’s why I desperately wish that Rice and Havertz would come in as additions to, rather than replacements for, those established midfielders
CP, I agree but it looks as if Xhaka will definitely go and I am concerned that Partey will be sold.
The thing that Ferdinand has missed is that Declan Rice has the potential to raise his performance levels, purely for the fact that he is playing with better players in a stronger team.
However Rice cannot do it alone in midfield and should Xhaka and Partey leave, the transfer fees should be spent on at least one of Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Moises Carcedo (Brighton) or Romeo Lavia (relegated Southampton) or equivalent.
A midfield of Odegaard, Rice and Partey (or replacement) would be competitive; however Odegaard, Rice and Havertz looks light on to me against strong midfields in the EPL and Europe.
If Rice can do it with England,I don’t see why he can’t do the same with Arsenal.ESR recently admitted being very impressed by Rice in training with England.according to him,he was the best trainer .