Declan Rice: The Relentless Force Behind Arsenal’s Success

"The Horse" of Arsenal: A Nickname Born from Relentless Energy

Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder, has earned a unique nickname among his teammates: "The Horse." This moniker, coined by Oleksandr Zinchenko and popularized by Jorginho, reflects Rice’s boundless energy, athleticism, and unwavering work ethic. Rice embracing the nickname explains, "It’s positive! They think I can run all day, my ability to go again, my sustainability, and availability to the team." His relentless energy is evident even in training, where he pushes himself to the limit, often leaving his teammates in awe of his dedication. Rice, however, remains focused on maintaining this high level of performance, stating, "I don’t mind the nickname, but I just have to keep it going."

A New Gear: Rice’s Resurgence in the Arsenal Squad

In recent weeks, Declan Rice has reached new heights in his performance for Arsenal. After initially finding himself in and out of the starting lineup, Rice has solidified his position as a key player in Mikel Arteta’s squad. His recent achievements include scoring his first Champions League goal against Dinamo Zagreb, where he was the driving force behind Arsenal’s 10-player victory against Wolves, and earning Player of the Match honors in the 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, where he provided three assists. This newfound form has not gone unnoticed, with manager Mikel Arteta praising Rice for having "an added bite to his game." Rice, reflecting on his recent success, attributes it to his hard work and dedication. "It’s really nice to hear. It was probably slower at the start of the season, coming off the Euros, but now I’m hitting form and full fitness at the right time."

Fueling Success: The Importance of Preparation and Partnerships

Behind Rice’s relentless performance on the field is a rigorous off-field regime that fuels his success. Speaking at the launch of his new partnership with energy drink brand CELSIUS, Rice emphasized the importance of proper fueling for his box-to-box midfield role. "With me being a box-to-box midfielder, it is key," he explains. This partnership is just one aspect of Rice’s commitment to peak performance. He has spent countless hours reviewing match clips and working with analysts to identify areas for improvement. This meticulous approach has resulted in a gradual but noticeable increase in his game, a trend he is determined to continue through the season.

Consistency and Reliability: The Hallmarks of Rice’s Career

Declan Rice’s consistency and reliability have been key to his success, both for club and country. Over the past two years, he has played the second-most minutes of any Premier League player, second only to Virgil van Dijk. Despite the grueling schedule, which included the 2022/23 season disrupted by the World Cup, West Ham’s Conference League triumph, and Euro 2024, where he became the only outfield player to play every single minute, Rice has remained almost ever-present. His dedication to training, nutrition, and recovery has allowed him to maintain this high level of availability. Manager Mikel Arteta has praised Rice’s reliability, stating, "The good thing with Declan is he’s so consistent, so reliable. He’s always there." Rice attributes this to his unwavering commitment to the game. "It’s just down to the way I’ve played the game, the way I’ve trained, and the way I’ve dedicated myself to the game. I want to be there at every available opportunity."

Balancing Football and Life: The Challenges of a Busy Schedule

Maintaining such a high level of performance is not without its challenges. Rice acknowledges the difficulty of balancing a hectic football schedule with personal life. "It’s really tough. Every player has a different routine and lives differently. The staff at the club are the main ones on it and keep us going." Despite the constant travel, hotels, and away games, Rice remains focused on his goals. "When you’re competing for stuff at the top end of the game, it’s about how much you want it. That’s why I keep myself going, and I know it’s the same for my teammates, because this year we want to achieve some really good things."

Looking Ahead: Arsenal’s Ambitions and Rice’s Role

As Arsenal pushes to achieve their goals this season, Declan Rice is set to play a pivotal role. The club is currently battling to reel in Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and remains a strong contender in the Champions League. While acknowledging the long road ahead, Rice remains optimistic about Arsenal’s chances. "There’s still a really long way to go. The manager said in a press conference the other week, no matter what, the only thing we can worry about is ourselves. But at the end of the season, we will be there. We can only keep believing in what we believe in, work on what we’re working on, and have full trust in the manager, players, and everyone around us that we can achieve great things." With Declan Rice in this vein of form, Arsenal’s hopes of achieving "big things" look brighter than ever.