BEAM OF THE CROP

'Lighthouse' Rice can prevent Arteta's title bid hitting rocks

- JOHN CROSS

MIKEL ARTETA has described Declan Rice as the “lighthouse” to guide Arsenal to the Premier League title.

Arteta is clearly buzzing about the club’s record £105m signing and what the England midfielder will bring to Arsenal next season.

The Gunners ran Manchester City close in the title race but they did need a midfield general and leader which is exactly what Arteta believes Rice will bring together with a physical presence.

Gunners boss Arteta was famous for his strange comparisons in the Amazon All Or Nothing documentary as he even used a lightbulb during one team talk as he urged his players to feed off the electricity.

But Arteta’s lighthouse moment seems particularly fitting because Rice’s size makes him look like a beacon above everyone else on the pitch.

Arteta said: “First of all he is a person and what he is going to bring to the team. I see him like a lighthouse, that he is willing to put light in others and improve others and make the team better and that is a huge quality.

“For me to be a midfielder, you have to have that and he’s got it 100 per cent.

“And the way he talks and presents himself and the ambition he has and his passion towards the game is exactly what we needed.

“It’s his leadership, his aura, the experience he already has in the league he is going to bring and the team to a different dimension I think. He has the physical qualities we were missing for a while as well. That is why we had to do what we had to do to get him because he was really important for us to get him