Declan Rice summoned to Mikel Arteta's office as Arsenal star reveals boss' unhappiness

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Declan Rice has revealed Mikel Arteta hauled him into his office early in the season after the Arsenal boss grew frustrated with the midfielder's displays. Arteta withdrew Rice late in their opening Premier League clash against Manchester United , which resulted in a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The following match saw him set-up Jurrien Timber's headed opener in their 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United . Rice was then, once again, in the starting XI for their subsequent fixture, a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool .

However, he found himself relegated to the bench when the Gunners faced Nottingham Forest next, which they won 3-0 at home. Arteta justified that call as an effort at "finding that right balance" and "making sure everybody is connected."

That stands as the sole league match Rice has missed from the starting line-up this season, when available. The midfielder has now opened up about his sluggish beginning to the campaign and revealed details of the candid conversation Arteta had with him.

Rice told Sky Sports : "At the start of the season, the manager pushed me a lot. I think after two games, I was in his office. He pulled me in. He wasn't happy about a few things."

He added: "There were a few clips, just of things that I wasn't doing right. Things that are basics, in terms of running and tracking your men and with the ball, positional-wise, that he wasn't too happy with.

"At the start of the season, I realised myself I probably wasn't at my best level. The good thing with this manager is that he knows when to put the knife in me in a little bit, just when to give me a nudge, and he also knows that will get the best out of me.

"Because I love to listen, I love to take it all in. I don't see that as a bad thing that he has told me that. When he said that to me, I said to myself; 'I do need to up it here'!"

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Fast forward several months, and Arteta is now singing Rice's praises publicly, with the midfielder emerging as one of the club's stand-out performers in what has been an exceptional season to this stage. When asked whether Rice ranks among the world's elite midfielders following his brace in the 3-2 victory over Bournemouth , the Arsenal boss was unequivocal: "Yes, for me, yes.

"Declan is constantly adding things to his game; he's constantly adding things to his role in the team. I don't see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas, and he wants to improve, as he's such a pivotal player for us."

Arteta also highlighted the dedication Rice showed in recovering from an injury which had ruled him out against Aston Villa , enabling him to feature on the south coast. He went on: "Every hour for him was important to be able to be available.

"We didn't know how long [he could play for]. So, in the manner that he competed, played, and on top of that scored two goals, I think it was outstanding and a really big message for the team.

"He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried in the morning; he was nowhere near a possibility. He wanted to train the next day; it wasn't a possibility.