Arsenal supporters unveiled a new chant about Declan Rice as the Gunners beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 on Saturday.
Declan Rice has quickly established himself as a favourite amongst Arsenal fans this season.
It is unsurprising that supporters of the North London club have taken the former West Ham United man to their hearts so quickly. Rice has been a revelation for Arsenal in the pitch this season.
The 25-year-old arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the recent summer transfer window with a hefty price tag and plenty of expectation upon his shoulders. After Arsenal paid a club-record fee of £105 million to prise Rice away from East London, it would have been understandable had he felt anxious about living up to such a figure.
Rice has subsequently spoken out publicly about the pressure that came with his price tag, as reported by the Daily Mail. However, no such nerves have been evident on the pitch this season. The midfielder has looked comfortable and at home whilst playing for Arsenal ever since he arrived at the club.
Rice quickly established himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, and he has delivered in all the areas that were expected of him, and he has even surpassed expectations in others.
How Declan Rice has shone for Arsenal this season
The England star arrived at Arsenal with a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Indeed, he has certainly served to make the Gunners more solid and he does an expert job of protecting the back four.
On top of that, though, he has grown and developed as a player this season and has unlocked new dimensions to his game. Since Arteta encouraged Rice to adopt a more advanced role, he has shown that he can have an impact in the final third.
He has chipped in with some vital goals this season, including late winners against both Manchester United and Luton Town. Rice has been described as having “Roy of the Rovers DNA,” due to his ability to produce a moment of magic when Arsenal desperately need one.
He has been impressive off the pitch, too. He is a natural leader and has brought that aspect of his character to the Gunners’ dressing room. Arteta has tipped Rice to be a future Arsenal captain.
Arsenal fans’ new chant for Declan Rice
Given all of these factors, it is unsurprising that Arsenal fans are keen to hail and celebrate Rice. As such, a chant about the 50-cap England international was unveiled in the recent win over Brighton.
Captured in fan footage posted on YouTube, Arsenal fans could be heard singing, “We got him half-price, we got him half-price, Declan Rice, we got him half-price!”
Given the player’s scintillating form this season, West Ham may in fact now feel that they ought to have asked for more for the player. Arteta and the Arsenal fans will certainly consider Rice to be money well spent.
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