Declan Rice - an era defining signing where financial exceptions are made

Declan Rice’s £100+5m move to Arsenal grows ever closer from being completely finalised. An era defining signing, which highlights the significant progress the club has made in the last few years.

Why is this signing is so special for Arsenal?

The competition from Declan, says it all. Fending off interest from treble winners Manchester City, Giants Bayern Munich to sign their top target.

A player with such credibility in the game at just 24 years of age, a leader, a model professional, with over 200 appearances for West Ham, and a unanimous starter for England - with over 40 appearances.

The financial outlay of the deal is almost unheard of for the Gunners too, committing a 3 digit million figure for his signature. It’s testament to the club’s structure, financial management with FFP, and attraction of the club & project, for a player of this quality to join London’s giants.

Player profile:

Declan is a defensive midfielder, with an incredible maturity, game intelligence, and above all excels with his reading of the game with 1.73 interceptions per 90 (fbref), the covering of space, and being a superb tackler.

That just touches the small sides defensively.

The Englishman is a complete engine with the ball, is a fantastic asset to drive his team up the pitch - with 2.42 carries per 90. He has a very good passing range, and is intelligent with his decision making in this field. While being a good ball striker.

It is simply a signing profile wise, which is unheard of currently. It’s no surprise every top side was queueing up for his services, and it’s no surprise West Ham’s star-man was the Gunners priority.

A big game suitor, comfortable in all zones, a player who is the definition of a level raiser.

A sign of tremendous ambitions, and one which highlights an ever growing project, which continues to shine in a highly sustainable fashion.