Declan Rice’s Remarkable Journey: From Record Transfer to Arsenal’s Star Performer

A Season of Excellence

Declan Rice has been crowned Arsenal’s men’s Player of the Season for 2024/25, following an exceptional campaign that saw him score nine goals and provide ten assists across 52 appearances in all competitions.

Record-Breaking Performance

Rice made history in April 2025 by becoming the first player ever to score two free kicks in a Champions League knockout phase match, achieving this feat in a commanding 3-0 victory over reigning champions Real Madrid. His first strike was expertly curled around the wall from outside the box, while his second, just 12 minutes later, was powered into the top corner – remarkably, these were his first-ever professional free-kicks.

Statistical Dominance

The England international has established himself as one of the country’s premier box-to-box midfielders, leading his team with 156 possession recoveries and creating 59 chances – just four fewer than team captain Martin Odegaard. His impressive work rate is evidenced by covering 350.1 kilometers during the season, while carrying the ball for 2,740 meters – both team-leading statistics.

Looking to the Future

Despite Arsenal’s strong showing in the Champions League, reaching the semi-finals, Rice has expressed hopes for further reinforcement of the squad. Following a season where the team finished second to Liverpool in the Premier League, the midfielder has candidly acknowledged that the team’s domestic performance was ‘poor by our standards,’ emphasizing the need to compete for titles with the quality of players and manager at their disposal.

Recognition and Accolades

Rice’s outstanding performances have earned him nominations for the Premier League Player of the Year award and secured his place in the Champions League Team of the Year, as selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer Group. His memorable performance against Real Madrid also saw him claim both Player and Goal of the Month awards in April.