Rice, who has emerged as a driving force in midfield, says he is currently enjoying some of the best form of his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling as good as I ever have in my game. It took me a couple of games to get fully up to speed at the start of the season, but now, I\u2019ve clicked into gear. I\u2019m performing at a consistently high level. That\u2019s what I want to maintain week in, week out, playing at my peak, being the best player I can be, and helping the team achieve big things,\u201d Declan Rice, speaking on JioHotstar, reflected on his top form as Arsenal\u2019s leading midfielder this season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Arsenal locked in another tight title race, Rice also welcomed former Gunners defender Sol Campbell\u2019s prediction that silverware could be heading back to north London.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really special to hear that! Obviously, Sol is a legend with an incredible career and that Invincible season that\u2019ll never be matched. Thank you to him for those words. I think he\u2019s spot on; we now have more leaders in the group. Martin \u00d8degaard is our main captain, and he\u2019s incredible, but there\u2019s a strong group behind him too, both behind the scenes and on matchdays. They speak up when needed, constructively, to push everyone forward. That\u2019s a massive difference I\u2019ve seen in my two years here and a real positive as we head into big games.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rice pointed to a noticeable shift in mentality within the dressing room this season, highlighting a newfound composure during high-pressure moments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d say it\u2019s the calmness within the group. We\u2019re taking each game as it comes, not worrying about what others are doing or the noise around us. We\u2019re in a strong position ourselves. If we keep winning, good things will follow. Despite being a young squad, we\u2019ve got a fantastic mentality \u2014 focused, composed, with no panic or concern about external opinions. We\u2019re just concentrating on our own game and what the manager asks of us, which has served us well so far.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Central to that transformation, Rice believes, is the influence of manager Mikel Arteta, whose tactical precision and attention to detail have left a lasting impact on the squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI feel very fortunate to have played under him. He\u2019s still young in his managerial career, but when it\u2019s all said and done, he\u2019ll be recognised as one of the best; judge him at the end when he\u2019s won it all, because he will. Tactically, he\u2019s incredible: his opposition analysis, game preparation, and setups are flawless. On the pitch, I only need to focus on playing; he\u2019s wired the tactics into me like every other player, so we always know exactly what to do. I can\u2019t speak highly enough of him and his assistants \u2014 brilliant, hardworking people who genuinely care about the players.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rice also credited Arteta\u2019s recruitment strategy and squad-building philosophy for making Arsenal more resilient amid injuries this season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe\u2019s built the squad brilliantly; he doesn\u2019t sign players just for their name, but because he sees something special in them that he knows he can develop. The balance and rotation he\u2019s created is perfect. When everyone\u2019s fit, and we still have some injuries, he\u2019ll have a happy headache picking the XI because the quality across the board is incredible. I train with these players every day, and the level is through the roof. He\u2019s very lucky, and so are we to be part of this group.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having come close in previous campaigns, Rice insists belief has never wavered within the camp as Arsenal chase a fourth straight season of contention at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe\u2019s built the squad brilliantly; he doesn\u2019t sign players just for their name, but because he sees something special in them that he knows he can develop. The balance and rotation he\u2019s created is perfect. When everyone\u2019s fit, and we still have some injuries, he\u2019ll have a happy headache picking the XI because the quality across the board is incredible. I train with these players every day, and the level is through the roof. He\u2019s very lucky, and so are we to be part of this group.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With leadership deepening across the squad and Arteta\u2019s tactical blueprint firmly embedded, Rice\u2019s words reflect a side that believes experience, composure, and consistency could finally turn near-misses into Premier League glory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n