Declan Rice

[Nour]

I‘m not confident at all about the coming season. It depends upon a good transfer window and young players maintaining their form. Even then, it’s difficult to see us matching City for squad strength in depth, essential if you’re to challenge for the title. However, my main point in this thread is that Arsenal despite the dismissiveness expressed by many posters on this thread, is not without its own attractions for Rice as I’ve already stated. The attractions of joining City are all too obvious but it doesn’t mean there aren’t any questions he’d want assurances on.

Such as:

1. Will my first season with City be as an understudy?
2. Some City players are ageing/going…can City maintain the excellence of the season just gone? Having been so successful, will the hunger still be there?
3. Will Pep step down in 2 years?
4. Will the PL make their FFP charges stick and if so, what are the repercussions likely to be?
5. Would I prefer to stay in London?

I‘ve no idea what the answers to those questions will be but at age 24, Rice is on the verge of committing himself to a contract likely to define his career.

As for the coming season, my only hope is we maintain our challenge for the title and secure top 4 again. Winning the title is an aspiration but realistically is unlikely.

Lastly, I’m too old and cynical to be crushed by disappointment…being a football fan means hoping for the best whilst expecting the worst. As much as I want Arsenal to succeed, there are more important things in life and in that regard I’m grateful to be fortunate.

Look at this brain.

 

[jrb]

Crazy how angry and abusive some people get for someone having a different opinion. I don’t agree with the arsenal fans totally but they are entitled to their opinion.

Like a cult on here at times

It never gets that bad, even when it’s bad. ;-)

 

[Nour]

City are still alive here :)

I don't want rice somebody give me Riyad's pasta

 

[richards30]

City are still alive here :)

As much as I want us to sign Rice, If he wants Arsenal first then aren’t we the sloppy second? Not being arrogant but we are the best team in Europe, soon to be the world, have Pep fucking guardiola as our manager and Rice still seems to not have the bollocks to challenge himself ?

 

[Jack Hackett]

I just Googled Arsenal fans wanting Arteta out and clicked on videos. There were a few that came up. TBH it was a bit lazy by my normal standards of trawling the internet to prove a point. :-)

On a serious note. If Arsenal get Rice and their other targets they will challenge City again for the PL title next season. Arsenal will have a very good young team that could dominate English football in the future.

That‘d be nice but not even I am that optimistic

 

[TheBlueCat]

Sorry pal could you post this sort of stuff in the Off Topic forum, you have clearly wandered into an arsenal forum by mistake

Hahahaha reminds me of last year when this place turned into the Brighton forum. Full of Brighton fans telling us that Cucurella was the next Roberto Carlos and that we should pay £60M for him even though we valued him at £30M

 

[nmc]

A great deal of speculation I see. I’ve no idea where he’ll end up but obviously I hope he chooses us over you. If he does choose us, then it’s because given the potential of our young players he can see an exciting opportunity to develop and be successful for some years to come. He will be guaranteed s starting place and be seen as one of our senior players. Arteta is here for the long haul so no danger of transition and Rice gets to stay in London.

Of course, joining City has it’s obvious attractions but Pep will likely leave in 2025, some of your key players are coming to the end of their shelf life and all winning teams ultimately come to the end of their reign.

I suspect this season just ended will mark the high water point of this City team’s success.

Why will Pep leave in 2025? Made up Daily Star story that written out of desperation?

 

[not my fault!]

There is much truth in that but to suggest our plan falls apart should we fail to secure Rice is an exaggeration because I think we would then secure someone else.

You are pinning EVERYTHING on Rice, look at your fans reactions at the sniff City may be slightly interested.

 

[Jack Hackett]

You are pinning EVERYTHING on Rice, look at your fans reactions at the sniff City may be slightly interested.

Not everything - as much as we want Rice, there’s no guarantee he’ll come so there are back up options in place

 

[Shah9320]

City are still alive here :)

Balotellllliiiii.......