“They will fit perfectly together” – Ex-Arsenal star believes new signing will be ‘captain on and off the pitch’ for Mikel Arteta

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit reckons Arsenal have secured a bargain signing in the form of Declan Rice. The Gunners have agreed a £100 million plus £5 million move to sign Rice from West Ham United.

While Rice's technical abilities as a midfielder are well appreciated, Petit thinks the 24-year-old will bring leadership qualities on and off the pitch. About Rice's arrival at the Emirates, Petit said (via talkSPORT):

“A bargain. You can see the quality he has already at such a young age and his experience. He’s got leadership qualities, too, and that winning mentality."

He added:

“Leadership is something that has been missing for a lot of years at Arsenal.… but I think that Declan Rice is a captain on and off the pitch. The way Declan wants to play, and the way Arteta wants his team to play, I think they will fit perfectly together.”

Rice captained West Ham United to the UEFA Europa Conference League glory last season, so he already knows how to lead a big club.

With Granit Xhaka leaving for Bayer Leverkusen, the Gunners needed a stout presence in the middle of the park. Rice is set to bring that to the Emirates.

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Granit Xhaka heaped praise on Mikel Arteta for helping Arsenal return to UEFA Champions League

Granit Xhaka was a key player for Arsenal last season, as the Gunners secured a second-placed finish in the Premier League. The Swiss midfielder made 47 appearances across competitions, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists.

Xhakarecently credited Arteta for helping the north London-based side get back to the UEFA Champions League after a fairly long absence. About his former team, the current Bayer Leverkusen midfielder said:

“He’s a coach I respect immensely. A coach who understands an incredible amount of football. Someone who sees football with completely different eyes.

"I had a great relationship with him. Thanks in part to him, we achieved what was missing for years: the Champions League."

The Gunners have been on a upward curve since Arteta took over at the Emirates. They had a phenomenal campaign last term and were quite close to winning the Premier League before falling short.