Complete reset has Declan Rice ready to tackle grueling Arsenal workload all over again
Arsenal's Declan Rice after the UEFA Champions League, league phase match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy. Picture: Agostino Gemito/PA Wire.
Declan Rice believes he can continue to shoulder an extraordinary workload at Arsenal after revealing that three weeks of complete rest this summer have left him feeling refreshed and back in “really good form”.
Rice played 69 games for club and country last season, including a lengthy World Cup campaign, while managing a neural hamstring problem.
Arsenal fans and manager Mikel Arteta feared he might miss the first few weeks of the season at least, yet the Arsenal midfielder insists there is no reason why he cannot continue playing at that level as he prepares for another demanding season.
“I think for the last six seasons, even since my West Ham days when it was in Europe, I’ve played 60-plus every season,” Rice said after Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Napoli.
“So I think it is sustainable because I’ve shown that I can do it. It’s just about maintaining it, maintaining the level and the consistency of the performances.
“For me, that’s the main thing, showing up every week, giving a good account of myself and helping the team win. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do that.
“So I’m really hungry to be able to do that again this season.”
The physical demands of last season were particularly acute during the World Cup, with Rice acknowledging that the accumulation of Premier League and Champions League football before travelling to the tournament eventually took its toll.
“It was tough,” he said. “I think everyone knew I had an issue with a neural hamstring. But also on the top of the Premier League season, which was so demanding, the Champions League, to then play a World Cup in that heat really does take its toll.”
London-born Rice, who played three games for Ireland before controversially switching to England in 2019, admitted there were periods when he did not feel at his best at the end of last season and during the summer in America.
“I’m a player that goes on the pitch, wants to be fresh and give 100 per cent every time I play,” he said. “And yes, there were stages where I felt really, really good and stages where I didn’t feel I was good.”
His response was to switch off completely when the season finally ended.
“In the summer, I just took some time off,” he said. “I took three complete weeks off. I didn’t do anything. Let it really rest, let it settle down and come back refreshed, feeling ready, ready to go again.
“And yes, I feel really good at the minute in really good form. So we’ll make it continue.”
That renewed fitness has coincided with the return to form of Martin Odegaard, whose performance against Napoli provided another reminder of his importance to Arsenal.
“The quality has always been there. It’s never been a question,” Rice said.
“Last year, to have two shoulder injuries like he did, to have an MCL injury like he did, is tough for any player. But you see him at the World Cup and how he started this year. That’s the Martin we know and we love.”
Rice has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or for a second consecutive year, although his own choice is England team-mate Harry Kane.
“I think second year in a row, nominated. It’s obviously really good, really proud,” he said.
“Obviously I know who I want to win it and love to see Harry Kane win it. So yes, I’m wishing him all the best in that.”
For Rice, individual recognition remains secondary to the opportunity Arsenal have in Europe.
Last season’s Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain remains a source of motivation.
“Losing that Champions League final really hurt,” he said. “Seeing that trophy and seeing PSG lift it, that stays with you.”
Arsenal have strengthened again, and Rice believes they have the quality to go one better.
“With the additions that we’ve added as well and the way we’ve gone about the Champions League the last few years, we have the abilities and the capabilities to do it,” he said.
“It’s just about taking that extra step.”
For a player who has already demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to keep going, Rice’s message is clear: he believes there is plenty more to come.
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