After an unbeaten run of 6 matches saw Arsenal sitting at the top of both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, midfielder Declan Rice remained at the very centre of those performances.
His importance to Mikel Arteta’s side is evident as the Cobham graduate played a total of 531 minutes out of the potential 540 minutes across the month of November, while also managing to score a goal and provide one assist in the Premier League and another in the Champions League.
Those shifts in the midfield earned him Fanalysis’ ‘Player of the Month’ award for November, where he scored 82 points out of 100.
The award was hand delivered to him by passionate Arsenal supporter ‘Beau The Beard’ (@beau_the_beard) in what was a heartwarming encounter between the two.
After waiting outside the Gunners’ training facility for around 7 hours, the midfielder finally arrived to receive the award while warmly greeting everyone present there.
Beau was visibly seen holding a sign board which read, “Declan Stop!”, in order to grab his attention.
Ahead of Rice’s arrival to the training facility, the content creator was initially ignored by the midfielder when the former was standing outside the grounds.
It was later revealed that the former West Ham captain was taking a nap during his arrival and didn’t intentionally ignore the content creator, clearing the confusion between the two.
Declan Rice is such a humble man ❤️pic.twitter.com/fXaKK4r5Hp
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) December 21, 2025
Whilst waiting, Beau the Beard jokingly mocked bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur by mentioning the arrival of the Lilywhites’ team bus upon seeing a garbage disposal truck nearby.
He even showed off his tattoo dedicated to long running manager Mikel Arteta whilst wishing to show it to the Spaniard after wondering when the former Gunner turned manager arrived at the grounds.
“I wonder what time super mick got here this morning….I wanna show him this tattoo.”
Upon the arrival of the England international, he was handed the award whilst having been asked about his best performance during the month of November.
Out of the 4 victories and 2 draws, the midfielder chose his performances against Tottenham, crediting English compatriot and fellow Gunner Eberechi Eze for his hat-trick, whilst also emphasising on the importance of the victory over Bayern Munich which guaranteed them a spot at the top while being the only club to win all of their opening 5 matches in the Champions League
“Alright, Tottenham – because of the result, Ed’s hat-trick. But also the Bayern game….It was so good. “
Often getting ‘best midfielder in the world’ shouts, the 26 year-old has been touted as a future Ballon D’Or winner by many Arsenal supporters and Beau himself, but he humbly resigned himself from that conversation.
“There’s so many good midfielders..Listen, I’m not just saying that.”
“I just try to go out and play, if I play well I play well, if I don’t, there’s always a chance to play good in the next match.”
“I love your confidence (on being called the future Ballon D’Or winner).”
“I’m in a good bit of form, I’m confident, so yeah… just gotta keep going.”
Rice was referred to as a decisive factor in matches and was called the one to drag Arsenal to the finish line in tense situations near the end of the season, especially with the Gunners’ increasing chances of becoming English champions this season.
“I hope so, I’ll be there. Available, ready. We’re in such a good position, but just gotta keep that, see what happens.”
Fans appreciated Rice’s humbleness on display here-
@okpero_henry Such a lovely mate! I like the last comment, I’ll be available, that’s all we want man just be available the rest will fall in place.
@JFar1887 This is absolutely awesome! Declan being such a humble player is so freshening to see! COYG
@JS5689254654257 Brilliant interview… reasserts thr fact that 1. We purchased a diamond 2. Need him to shine bright towards the critical final 3rd of the season!!
@Lfc_samie Top guy, top personality, I love him
@EMarie63381 He’s better than what we think
@kobain_1 Man i hate that he’s an Arsenal player but i absolutely love the guy, what a human being
@rayweezy007 Declan Rice My midfield machine
@Reddevil897 I love rice I wanted him at United but he choose the right club for him. To me he’s the best midfielder in the world and the reason why Arsenal are so good in midfield
@Domcamille89369 Class Dec ! Not many footballers left out there “ as humble as you son . Box to box machine this kid . Class act, on and off the pitch . Anything , we ever go on to achieve….. this boy will have a lot to do with it . Same goes for England this summer … no decs no chance ! Up the Arse .
@trizzeefame You just gotta love him man
@JohnMccharley Super brilliant, Dec,s the number one in the world! We all know that!! Come on you Gunners!
@afc_emily you can’t just hate this man
