Declan Rice lands 'new job' that impresses teammates as Arsenal stars face deciding week

Arsenal's Declan Rice has taken on an unlikely new role while away at the European Championships with England. The 25-year-old is fresh off a superb first season at Emirates Stadium with his aim now to win silverware in Germany for his country.

Such was his importance to Mikel Arteta, Rice featured in every Premier League game which saw him play 4,364 minutes in all competitions. Last summer, Rice joined from West Ham with the Gunners spending over £200million to welcome four new additions that Arteta is clearly very proud with.

“The summer signings have raised the bar a lot,” Arteta said via the Guardian. “If we spend money we’d better do it wisely and in the most effective way. We’re really happy with the recruitment that we had. It had a big impact on the team. It has raised not only the level of the team but the level of the rest of the players, as well.

On Rice contributing to 17 goals, he added: “We thought it was going to be very related to the spaces he was going to occupy on the pitch but it’s something else to then do it in this league. He’s done it – even when we’ve changed him from position to position, it’s not easy to adapt to that."

Under Gareth Southgate, Rice has been given some slightly different tasks with Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside him in a double pivot for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia which places him at the base of midfield. With that in mind, Rice has seemingly chosen a new role for himself while preparing for the Three Lions' next game against Denmark.

In the basking sun at England's training camp, Rice was captured with a camera of his own with Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham showing a keen interest in his photos of the aforementioned duo and Bukayo Saka. Both Arsenal stars, alongside goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, are in for a big week as they look to see off Denmark and Slovenia to progress in the tournament.

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Following his football career, Rice could have his next job lined up with it seemingly clear by his smile he has a passion for photography. On Thursday, it will be back to the day job for Rice with the expectation he will again start in midfield, though he could be accompanied by Conor Gallagher this time.