Declan Rice is contemplating a critical juncture in his season, one that many believed could spell trouble for him and Arsenal. Following a narrow and agonizing defeat to Manchester City in mid-April, the two clubs were neck-and-neck at the pinnacle of the Premier League. City appeared to have the upper hand. Was Arsenal on the verge of faltering?
The television cameras captured Rice at the Etihad Stadium, and his body language spoke volumes as he shook his head. “It could have gone either way,” the England midfielder asserted. Indeed, it wasn’t. Arsenal triumphed in all their remaining league matches, overcoming immense pressure. City faltered, and Arsenal celebrated their first championship since 2004. “That would have lived with me for ever.” Rice reflects with a smile. “I’ve got enough of them. Luckily, it went the way I wanted it to be perceived, even though it was crazy how that all came about.”
This moment resonates similarly to Steven Gerrard’s famous “There’s going to be moments where we have setbacks, where we have to get through,” declaration in 2014 as Liverpool approached the title, just before they did, in fact, slip. The potential for memes was palpable. “It’s going to be tough and we need to be ready for everything that comes.” Rice acknowledges. “It’s hard because when you play against low blocks you have a structure the manager wants you to play in,”
As England gears up to face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the World Cup’s last 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday, Rice emphasizes that the pursuit of exceptional achievement is fraught with challenges. There will be tension, uncertainty, and critics. Success hinges on resilience and the ability to navigate through difficult moments.
England appears to be at a crossroads in the World Cup journey. Rice is part of what might be the most valuable midfield trio in international football history—especially with Elliot Anderson’s impending £116 million transfer from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City. Rice himself moved from West Ham to Arsenal for £105 million in 2023. Jude Bellingham’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid that same summer was valued at £88.5 million, potentially reaching £115 million with add-ons. Rice notes that the trio is eager to unleash their potential, provided they face teams willing to press high and engage in direct confrontations. However, such opportunities were absent in England’s second and third group matches against Ghana and Panama, particularly against Ghana, and expectations are low for the DRC match.
There was palpable relief among England supporters upon learning their team would face the DRC rather than Senegal. Senegal had previously defeated England in a friendly last June, and they carry a greater reputation. However, the DRC demonstrated their strength during the group stage, managing a 1-1 draw with Portugal and narrowly losing to Colombia before defeating Uzbekistan 3-1.
The DRC boasts Premier League talent, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki, and Yoane Wissa. England’s first knockout match of the tournament promises to be physically demanding. Rice plans to draw on his experiences at Arsenal, recognizing that mental fortitude will be crucial.
“And sometimes you have to do something for the good of the team, even though you feel like you don’t want to do it because you feel a bit stuck. You have to do it because it might help out a teammate. “When you look at the quality that we have across the whole squad, you would say: ‘Right, how are we not scoring four or five?’ But Ghana were incredibly well drilled and so were Panama. The boss [Thomas Tuchel] was saying they’re the same ranking as Wales and Serbia; they’re not terrible opposition. It’s down to us to break down these low blocks and to be patient. “It’s tough but this is the World Cup. I understand the heat [on England], I understand how teams have a way of playing against us and [it is] anything to win, I suppose. We need to find ways to keep counteracting that.” he states. “It [the nerve pain] is strange because you can just feel it like sitting there,”
Rice must be weary of compact defenses, as Arsenal has faced them consistently, often struggling to find aesthetically pleasing solutions. Criticism has been levied, and parallels can be drawn with England. Yet, as Rice reflects on the need for realism and sacrifice, he understands the sweet taste of vindication.
“It’s not a pain that happens [just] during football. You could be sat at home and you’d feel a little pain shoot up your leg. I’ve managed it in a good way, trying to get my rest when I can and prioritising games. When you play that many [club] games, you’re hardly training. It’s just: recovery, games, recovery, games. “I played the Champions League final, had a week completely off‑feet, where I did nothing, and then I got myself back into a rhythm. The body had a little bit of a shock. That’s why I started to feel the pain a little bit [against Croatia] because towards the end [of the season] it was starting to ease off. It’s just something I’ve got to keep managing. Once this season’s done, I’ll get my rest and I’m sure I’ll go into next season fine.” he explains. “Sometimes you have to do something for the good of the team, even if you feel a bit stuck. You have to do it because it might help a teammate.
“We had a great chat the other day at the hotel in Kansas City,”
“We were sat outside on the beanbags. I said to Elliot that he can’t control the price he’s going for. But why he’s going for that price is because he’s been one of the best players in Europe this season. The price tag is just noise. I said: ‘Go to City, do what you’ve been doing and you’ll be fine.’ Elliot wants the ball and if he doesn’t get it he has a little dig at you. He’s one of the best I’ve played with.”
Rice’s journey has been tumultuous, experiencing the joy of winning the Premier League followed by the disappointment of Arsenal’s penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
He has also battled neural pain in his hamstring, an issue persisting since Christmas that forced him to exit the World Cup opener against Croatia in the 72nd minute.
Despite playing the full match against Ghana, he suffered a “I look at this group now and I don’t think there’s a better crop of penalty-takers that England have probably ever had,” injury, which “I look at Harry [Kane], Ivan [Toney], Marcus [Rashford], Anthony Gordon, [Bukayo] Saka. I can take one. Jude, as well. You hear the stat about how you have to win a penalty shootout to get to a final or win the tournament, so you know that might come along. We’re going to be fully prepared for that.” and ruled him out of the game against Panama. This marked the first time since Euro 2020 that Rice was not included in an England starting XI at a tournament, breaking a streak of 21 matches.
“It [the nerve pain] is strange because you can just feel it sitting there,” Rice shares. “It’s not a pain that occurs only during football. You could be sitting at home and feel a little pain shoot up your leg. I’ve managed it well, prioritizing recovery and games. With such a packed schedule, there’s hardly any time for training. It’s just: recovery, games, recovery, games.”
“I played in the Champions League final, took a week completely off my feet, and then got back into a rhythm. My body experienced a bit of shock. That’s why I started to feel the pain a little bit [against Croatia]; it was easing off towards the end of the season. It’s something I need to keep managing. Once this season concludes, I’ll rest, and I’m confident I’ll head into the next season in great shape.”
Rice reports that the calf injury is no longer a concern, and Tuchel is likely eager to reintegrate him into the lineup against the DRC, especially after Anderson appeared isolated at times against Panama. Bellingham, who played as a box-to-box No. 8, will revert to the No. 10 position. Rice’s rapport with Anderson has quickly developed, as they only began playing together for England last September. He is well-positioned to provide guidance on record-setting transfers. Rice has openly stated his initial struggles after joining Arsenal.
“We had a great chat the other day at the hotel in Kansas City,” he recalls. “We were sat outside on the beanbags. I told Elliot that he can’t control the price he’s going for. But the reason he’s going for that price is that he’s been one of the best players in Europe this season. The price tag is just noise. I said: ‘Go to City, do what you’ve been doing, and you’ll be fine.’ Elliot wants the ball, and if he doesn’t get it, he gives you a nudge. He’s one of the best I’ve played with.”
Rice’s confidence is evident, accompanied by a sense of continuous growth as he relentlessly pursues his ambitions. He recalls feeling anxious before taking a penalty in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final shootout victory against Crystal Palace last December, although he ultimately converted. In contrast, when he stepped up against PSG, he exuded confidence and delivered an emphatic finish. Should England face penalties in the upcoming matches, Rice believes they would be formidable contenders. To him, the outcome would be clear-cut.
“I look at this group now and I don’t think there’s a better collection of penalty-takers that England has ever had,” Rice states. “I look at Harry [Kane], Ivan [Toney], Marcus [Rashford], Anthony Gordon, [Bukayo] Saka. I can take one. Jude, too. You hear the statistic about needing to win a penalty shootout to reach a final or win the tournament, so we know that might be necessary. We’re going to be fully prepared for that.”
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