Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed Arsenal’s club-record signing of Declan Rice and believes the midfielder’s arrival is ‘important for the whole club’.
Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Rice from West Ham in a £105m deal, as the Gunners prepare to return to the Champions League and look to build on last season’s Premier League title challenge.
The 24-year-old led the Premier League for ball recoveries and interceptions last season and strengthens the spine of Mikel Arteta’s emerging team.
Rice has been adapting to the demands of his new side during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA and Zinchenko believes the England international will be a major player for the north Londoners this season.
“He is an unbelievable player – he’s an amazing signing for us. He has incredible qualities and looks like he is so hungry to achieve something big,” Zinchenko told the club’s official website.
“It’s so important to have these kind of players with us. It’s an amazing signing to help get big success for the club. We’re glad that Declan wanted to join Arsenal.
“It’s something important for the whole club, the players and the fans, and it gives us more desire to achieve something. We didn’t achieve what we wanted last season, but we had a lot of good lessons and we will be stronger.
“Again, if these kind of players want to join us, it’s because they know we are on the right journey here.”
