Declan Rice drops major hint over his Arsenal future | Football

Declan Rice has delivered a major update on his future hot on the heels of Mikel Arteta’s contract extension.

The England international joined the Gunners in a club-record £105million deal from West Ham three years ago.

Rice has been instrumental in the continuing improvement Arsenal have shown under Arteta which culminated in last season’s Premier League title triumph.

Despite the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and the summer signing of Bruno Guimaraes, the 27-year-old remains one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet.

Rice’s current deal expires in the summer of 2028 but talks over an extension are well underway and he looks set to become the next high-profile star to commit his future to the north London club.

Speaking to Viaplay, Rice was asked whether a decision to pen a new contract could be influenced by the news that Arteta is set to remain at the Emirates for another three years.

He said: ‘Yeah, of course. I think for sure, I’ve been so happy playing for Arsenal over the last few years.

‘[It’s] probably the happiest I’ve been playing football so yeah, it’s been amazing and the journey has been great so far.

‘Last year, obviously winning the Premier League was one of the happiest moments of my career. So yeah, for sure, let’s continue this.’

Skipper Martin Odegaard, meanwhile, is also likely to begin talks over a new deal imminently and he, too, is delighted to see Arteta sticking around.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against Leeds, he said: ‘Also during the international break we had the news that the boss has signed a new contract and that’s given everyone here such a lift.

‘What he’s done so far is unbelievable, so to see him committing to being here for even longer is a big push for everyone.

‘For sure, it’s going to lift the energy even more.’

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