Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice may finally have the chance to ditch his No.41 shirt and claim a more prestigious squad number ahead of next season.
The 27-year-old has been wearing No.41 since his academy days at West Ham, a number handed to him by the club’s kitman during his first trip with the first team to Seattle.
Rice has carried that number throughout his professional career, including after his club-record £100million move to Arsenal in July 2023, where lower numbers were already taken.
The No.4 shirt at the Emirates is currently occupied by defender Ben White, but the former Brighton man is heavily linked with a summer departure from north London.
Everton are among the clubs said to be interested in White, who is currently recovering from a medial knee ligament injury and is valued at around £25million.
If White does leave Arsenal this summer, it would open the door for Rice to take the No.4 shirt, a number he is wearing for England at the World Cup this summer.
The No.4 shirt carries significant weight in English football history, having been worn by iconic figures including Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Terry Butcher, Paul Ince, and Steven Gerrard.
Rice played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years, appearing in 55 club matches this season before turning his attention to the tournament with England.
“An absolutely incredible couple of weeks celebrating bringing the Premier League back to North London after 22 years,” Rice said on Instagram last week.
“We have a really special group of players and a manager that has absolutely transformed this team. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”
Rice added: “Thank you to the fans for all the support not only this season but since I joined. You’ve welcomed me with open arms from Day One! Now, full focus on the World Cup and I look forward to seeing you all next season.”
England’s World Cup campaign begins on Wednesday, June 17 when Thomas Tuchel’s side face Croatia, followed by further group stage fixtures against Ghana and Panama.
Rice is expected to start all three group games for England, giving him plenty of opportunity to further his association with the No.4 shirt on the international stage.
Despite the potential appeal of a number change, Rice has previously expressed a strong sentimental attachment to his current shirt number that should not be underestimated.
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap in February 2022, Rice said: “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the [West Ham] kitman.”
He explained: “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.”
Rice also acknowledged a superstitious side to his thinking, saying: “I think ‘Rice 41’ has a nice ring to it, I’ve grown up playing in it, and I’m a bit superstitious about things like that.”
He added: “I don’t know if I changed to a new number if it would hamper my performances, I don’t know!” leaving genuine uncertainty over whether any switch would ultimately materialise.
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