Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could have an important decision to make regarding his squad number when he returns from England World Cup duty
Declan Rice played a major role in Arsenal winning their first Premier League title in 22 years as the midfielder now looks ahead to the World Cup with England.
The 27-year-old, who has already played in 55 club matches this season, will hope to play eight more games over the next five weeks as the Three Lions bid for World Cup glory. Signed by the Gunners for a club record fee of £100million in July 2023, the former West Ham man has developed into a world-class talent and he is already eyeing further silverware in the years ahead.
“An absolutely incredible couple of weeks celebrating bringing the Premier League back to North London after 22 years,” Rice said on Instagram last week. “As I said when I joined this great club, my dream is to win trophies here. This is the first of hopefully many more.
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“We have a really special group of players and a manager that has absolutely transformed this team. It’s a privilege to be part of it. Thank you to the fans for all the support not only this season but since I joined. You’ve welcomed me with open arms from Day One! Now, full focus on the World Cup and I look forward to seeing you all next season. Enjoy the Summer.”
England’s World Cup gets underway on Wednesday, June 17 when Thomas Tuchel’s men take on Croatia. Games against Ghana (Tuesday, June 23) and Panama (Saturday, June 27) will follow and Rice is expected to start in all three.
Interestingly, the Arsenal star will wear the No.4 shirt throughout the tournament. The number has links to some of England’s most famous leaders, including Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Terry Butcher, Paul Ince and Steven Gerrard.
Rice has worn the No.41 shirt so far during his club career, first being handed the number when he was in the academy coming up at West Ham. There had been suggestions he may choose a lower number when he made the move to north London, but with the likes of No.4 and No.6 taken by Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes, Rice again opted for his trusty No.41.
There is a chance, though, that Rice has the opportunity to upgrade his squad number at club level this summer. White is one of the players heavily linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium, although he is currently recovering from a medial knee ligament injury. Everton, among others, are said to be interested in the former Brighton & Hove Albion defender, who was signed by Arsenal for £50million in 2021.
So, if White (now valued at around £25million) does leave the Gunners over the coming months, that would leave the No.4 shirt available. Given his position as a midfielder and the fact he is wearing No.4 this summer with England, Rice may jump at the chance to upgrade his squad number.
Rice does have somewhat of an affiliation with No.41, however. Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap in February 2022, Rice said: “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the [West Ham] kitman. When you are in the Under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since.”
He added: “I think ‘Rice 41’ has a nice ring to it, I’ve grown up playing in it, and I’m a bit superstitious about things like that… I don’t know if I changed to a new number if it would hamper my performances, I don’t know!”
