Why Arsenal vs. Manchester City is Declan Rice’s £105 million excuse

There isn’t a better time than now for Declan Rice to prove his £105 million price tag.

Arsenal take on Manchester City later today in Sunday’s premier league clash as both teams vie for a place at the top spot of the league.

A win returns Manchester City back to their proverbial top spot, whereas defeat to the Gunners takes Arsenal to top spot on joint points with North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

However, another narrative that may go in well to factor into the game will be Arsenal’s summer signing, Declan Rice who made a £105 million move to the Emirates this summer; a transfer fee that has resulted in a lot of questions from neutrals and fans alike.

In the wake of Rodri‘s suspension, the England midfielder now finds himself  with a rare opportunity to take charge in a pivotal match that Arsenal must win to send a resounding message to their title contenders, and also prove to naysayers that the £105 million price tag on him was merited.

Following Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Lens on Tuesday night, Declan Rice appeared visibly frustrated, unable to comprehend how the Gunners had let victory slip through their grasp in a game he believed they had “dominated.”

Nevertheless, rather than dwelling on the disappointment of their first defeat of the season, Rice remained optimistic about his team’s prospects in subsequent games, with that being the follow-up game against Manchester City.

“We’re just warming up and getting into our rhythm,” he remarked during an interview with TNT Sports. “Our focus turns back to the league, and it’s a massive game on Sunday.”

Rice’s assessment of the significance of the impending clash is not without merit.

Although the 2023-24 Premier League season is still in its early stages, the meeting between last season’s top two teams at the Emirates Stadium already carries an air of necessity for the home side.

Last season, Arsenal endured resounding defeats in both encounters with Manchester City, losses that played a crucial role in City’s resurgence and eventual capture of the Premier League title.

While Arsenal did manage to edge City in a penalty shootout during the Community Shield in August, the pressure now mounts on Mikel Arteta’s squad to prove they can defeat the treble-winning City side when it truly matters.

When Declan Rice made his £105 million ($131 million) transfer from West Ham to Arsenal at the age of 24, he understood that his move would forever be associated with a hefty price tag.

He had hoped that he wouldn’t solely be judged on the magnitude of the fee. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that both media and fans alike will scrutinize the deal’s financial aspects.

It is evident that Rice’s actual value does not align with the astronomical figure of £105 million.

However, context plays a vital role in understanding this situation. As evidenced during the summer transfer window, effective defensive midfielders are increasingly scarce and, consequently, command staggering transfer fees.

In Sunday’s showdown against Manchester City, Declan Rice faces the opportunity to prove his worth on the field, transcending the weight of his transfer fee to Arsenal.