Arsenal target Declan Rice has a number of shirt numbers to choose from at the Emirates Stadium – including a rather unusual one he favours
(Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)
Arsenal target Declan Rice could be given his perfect number upon signing for the Gunners.
The deal for the West Ham United captain is progressing, with the Gunners having registered two bids so far and plenty of expectation that Rice will be an Arsenal player soon. The Hammers are believed to want £100 million.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta might have to switch some squad numbers around (Image credit: Getty Images)
William Saliba is widely expected to take the No.2 shirt, which has been vacant since the departure of Hector Bellerin last summer. Tierney's exit could free up No.3 for Ben White – the shirt he wore at Brighton & Hove Albion – leaving No.4 or No.5 free for Rice or Timber.
But Rice has already indicated that actually, he would be happy to wear the No.41 wherever he went.
"It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman," he told Gary Neville on The Overlap. "When you are in the under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since.
"And to be honest with you I have been having these conversations with my dad, regardless of what happens in my career I may stay with 41.
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Declan Rice has worn a variety of numbers for England (Image credit: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
"I just think 'Rice 41' has a nice ring to it and obviously, I have grown up playing in it and I am a bit superstitious with things like that. I don't know if I change to a new number if it will hamper my performances, I don't know! Sometimes I think about things like that."
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
