Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice got their hands on the Community Shield at the start of the season (Picture: Getty)
Bukayo Saka says he helped encourage Declan Rice to join Arsenal before the midfielder’s big summer move from West Ham, telling his England teammate that Emirates Stadium was the right place for him.
Rice was signed for an enormous £105m by the Gunners but he has quickly settled in and produced his most memorable moment so far when he scored against Manchester United on Sunday.
The 96th minute strike put Arsenal 2-1 ahead, sending the home fans into wild celebrations, before Gabriel Jesus rounded off the scoring in a 3-1 win.
Arsenal were far from the only team interested in Rice with the north London club pulling off a huge coup to sign him and Saka played his part in the move.
‘Obviously he’d ask a few questions and I’d answer them,’ Saka told talkSPORT of Rice. ‘But yeah, I’d just try to give him the reassurance that he’d be coming to the right club and that the future is exciting for us.
‘If he joined us, he’d make us better and that yeah, we can definitely achieve things.’
Declan Rice scored a vital goal as Arsenal beat Manchester United on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal fans have taken to Rice very quickly, chanting his name after the win over the Red Devils, with Saka delighted to see his teammate with club and country shine.
‘It was an unbelievable moment for him and his family. Even the stadium, he said it was crazy when he felt the atmosphere,’ said Saka. ‘He’s right though, it’s really special to play there.
‘I’m just happy he’s happy and that he’s performing, and he’s got his first goal as well, I don’t think there’s a better moment for him to get his first goal. So yeah, I’m happy for him.’
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Rice has made an immediate impact with the Gunners.