People also need to remember that Arsenal have been working on this transfer behind the scenes for months and months. Arteta will have had different conversations with Rice and his people, making him feel wanted, explaining how he would fit in, telling him we'll be building the midfield around him etc. Both sides would have been giving each other assurances.
Don't underestimate how persuasive managers can be, when they get the chance to talk to players. Seems like he's already 'convinced' Timber and Havertz, with rumours about Lavia as well. Think this is why Pep is hoping to speak to Rice as well.
Now, obviously it's all a moot point if Arsenal can't get a deal agreed with West Ham.
Arteta obviously comes under some stick on here, but he must do something right, as he seems to get players that want to play for him.
“I spoke to Mikel Arteta on a Zoom call and he told me all about the project,”
Odegaard wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting … Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
“He is next level. It's hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy … but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.
“He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club. He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad — Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.
“I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.”