Declan Rice Praises £60m Arsenal Teammate for Unlocking His 'Unstoppable' Form
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has attributed his exceptional season to the influence of teammate Martin Zubimendi, declaring that the Spanish international's presence has helped him reach new heights in his game. The England star, who has been instrumental in Arsenal's pursuit of a historic quadruple, revealed that Zubimendi's seamless integration into the squad has been a key factor in his own development.
Midfield Partnership Propels Arsenal to Premier League Summit
Rice has enjoyed a remarkable campaign at the heart of Arsenal's midfield, contributing significantly to their position at the top of the Premier League table. The 27-year-old has been virtually ever-present this season, with his set-piece deliveries becoming a cornerstone of the Gunners' formidable attacking threat. His consistent performances have even placed him in contention for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, according to bookmakers' odds.
'Zubimendi has been a massive help this season,' Rice told The Sun. 'He's been really, really good. Once you get in that momentum and into the swing of things, your confidence comes, and there've been points this season where I felt unstoppable at times.'
From West Ham Record to Arsenal Stardom
Since his record-breaking transfer from West Ham United in 2023, Rice has consistently improved year after year. However, he was quick to highlight how Zubimendi's arrival last summer from Real Sociedad for £60 million has unlocked another dimension in his game. The Spanish midfielder has fitted perfectly into Mikel Arteta's system, providing stability and quality at the base of midfield.
Rice explained his approach to continuous improvement: 'I think every year I've tried to raise my level and raise my game. It's something my dad always said to me, like, how are you going to improve every year? How are you going to get better?'
Confidence and Mindset: The Keys to Success
The Arsenal star emphasized the importance of starting matches strongly to build momentum. 'I think I always have in my mind, first thing of the game, always do it to a good standard, whether it's a header, a tackle, a duel. If you win that, it gets your mind in the right place,' he said. 'Whereas if you lose it, it can have a negative impact and you start to think the other way. So I always try to get my mind in the right place and that spurs me on to go and play well.'
Ballon d'Or Recognition and Team Priorities
When asked about being mentioned in Ballon d'Or discussions, Rice remained grounded while acknowledging the honor. 'It's unreal, obviously. You want to be involved in those conversations. I think they're the right ones to be involved in,' he stated. 'Obviously, I appreciate the fans for saying that. It's such a long way away because I need to keep playing well. I need to keep maintaining this level.'
Rice stressed that team success remains his primary focus: 'Hopefully we can have a successful season and I can be involved in those conversations. That would be amazing. If not, that's not something that I'm setting my eye on. I really want the team to do well first.'
Quadruple Ambitions and Upcoming Challenges
Arsenal find themselves in an enviable position, still competing in every major competition at this advanced stage of the season. 'We're lucky enough, like I said, to be in every competition still at this stage of the season,' Rice noted. 'There's so many big teams who've been knocked out already. So we put ourselves in a really strong position to go forward and put ourselves in the best way.'
The Gunners return to action on Sunday as they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, with Rice and Zubimendi expected to continue their influential midfield partnership that has been central to Arsenal's success this campaign.
