Mikel Arteta has worked wonders to transform Arsenal into genuine Premier League title contenders - but the Spaniard is already busy planning for a bigger and brighter future.
The Gunners are now within touching distance of ending their agonising 19-year title drought, with just a handful of league games remaining this term. Arsenal are currently eight points ahead of Manchester City, although the reigning champions have played one game less than Arteta's side.
Few, if anybody, would have backed Arsenal to challenge for the title this term. And regardless of how the final weeks of the season pan out, Arteta is already laying out plans to ensure the Londoners remain in the upper echelons of the top-flight.
Arteta is expected to be backed with more funds in the summer and is set to prioritise a move for long-term target Declan Rice - and The Evening Standard claims that there is now a 'growing confidence' at Arsenal that they are in pole position to land the sought-after midfielder.
The West Ham captain has been linked with the majority of the Premier League's Big Six, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, but Arteta has now made the 24-year-old his No.1 transfer target and would be able to offer Rice the Champions League football that he craves.
It was claimed earlier this month that the Gunners could even have a 'secret weapon' in the race to snap up Rice: his former West Ham teammate Jack Wilshere.
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Wilshere, who returned to the Emirates to take up the role of Under-18s head coach last year, played alongside Rice for two years and has no doubt that the England star could become "massive" under Arteta's guidance, and that he would be the "perfect fit" in an Arsenal side who have reclaimed their place amongst the Premier League's elite.
Wilshere told PA Sport earlier this week: “He’s [Rice] a midfielder who can do anything. Anyone who supports any club would want Dec to join. If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I think he would be very good under Mikel’s watch.
"Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be massive for the team as well. I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing in unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.
“You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.
"I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.”
