From Chelsea release to Arsenal record signing: How Declan Rice became Mikel Arteta's £105m star

Arsenal have finally wrapped up a club-record £105million deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United and football.london takes a look at the England midfielder's footballing journey

Passion. Dominance. Aggression. Three characteristics newly-appointed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed that he wanted from his team upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium back in December 2019.

A midfielder who dominates physically, one that is able to win his duels across the pitch and hold his own in transition. Back in April of last season, the Gunners found themselves 2-0 up after just ten minutes had been played in their away match against Rice's West Ham.

All three points appeared to be in the bag for the away side before the game state was flipped on its head mainly because of one pressing action from the England international. The 24-year-old was able to close Arsenal no.6 Thomas Partey down with a one-man press.

Rice's dedication to improving his craft is something that is consistently mentioned when you speak to people who played a part in his footballing journey. The three years he attended Grey Court secondary school were key to his development as a player and as a person, maturing under the stewardship of headteacher Chris Rhodes and PE teacher Stephen Willmore.

Rice was at the Richmond-based school between the ages of 11 and 14, starring en route to the county cup final during his first year. He showed his composure in the semi-final, netting a penalty against Whitgift, a school in Croydon that was able to field a line-up of boys on the books of both Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

"Declan stood out," Willmore recalled to football.london. "His ability to get on the ball, his vision, his ability to pick the right pass at the right