{"id":5742,"date":"2024-04-30T13:59:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T13:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=5742"},"modified":"2024-04-30T13:59:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T13:59:23","slug":"declan-rice-explains-main-reason-he-snubbed-man-city-to-join-arsenal-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=5742","title":{"rendered":"Declan Rice explains main reason he snubbed Man City to join Arsenal | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Declan\n<\/div>

Declan Rice favoured a move to Arsenal despite interest from Manchester City (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Declan Rice says a move to Arsenal \u2018seemed more exciting\u2019 than Manchester City as the two clubs battle to become Premier League champions.<\/p>\n

Arsenal and Man City were both desperate to sign Rice from West Ham last summer but it was the Gunners who secured his signature in a deal worth \u00a3100m.<\/p>\n

Pep Guardiola was keen to welcome the then-Hammers captain to his squad at the Etihad Stadium but Rice\u2019s preference was a move to north London to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.<\/p>\n

Rice\u2019s current club and former suitor have been locked in an intense title battle this season, with just one point separating the sides with a handful of games remaining.<\/p>\n

Unless Manchester City slip up, Arsenal and Rice will miss out on winning the Premier League, but the England midfielder appears to have no regrets over his transfer decision.<\/p>\n

When it was pointed out to him that he could well have been playing alongside Rodri rather than battling Man City for the title, Rice told The Athletic: \u2018I know.<\/p>\n

\u2018But this project seemed more exciting and that\u2019s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we\u2019re on to big things here.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Rodri\n<\/div>

Rice heaped praise on Manchester City rival Rodri (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rice, who is set to be a key member of England\u2019s squad at Euro 2024, also insisted he enjoys his midfield battles with Rodri, who he views as the \u2018best in the world\u2019 in that position.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s good, I enjoy it,\u2019 Rice added. \u2018We\u2019re different players, I feel. With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he\u2019s always been a natural No 6.<\/p>\n

\u2018You can just tell by the way he plays that he\u2019s worked under Pep (Guardiola) for so long. He\u2019s a lot more structured than I am.<\/p>\n