Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been spotted enjoying a round of golf with the Gunners’ latest midfield addition Christian Norgaard during the squad’s pre-season tour. The two players, now teammates at club level, were seen in Singapore spending time together off the pitch, a promising sign of early chemistry forming within Mikel Arteta’s revamped engine room.
In a post shared to social media, Rice called the Danish international his “new golf partner,” tagging him directly and posing for a smiley selfie. It’s a relaxed moment, but also a glimpse into the growing bond between the pair ahead of a huge 2024/25 campaign.
Rice building early rapport with Arsenal’s new midfield signing
Declan Rice on Instagram – New Golf partner Norgaard 🏌️ pic.twitter.com/bNrVGWkm7C
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) July 24, 2025
Rice, who remains a central figure in Arteta’s plans after a commanding debut season in north London, looks to be taking a leadership role both on and off the field. With the Gunners adding a fresh midfield option this summer — believed to be a €20m arrival from Brentford — team chemistry will be key.
The Denmark international brings Premier League experience, defensive intelligence, and a strong work ethic. That complements Rice’s box-to-box presence perfectly. While the golf course isn’t the training pitch, moments like this show intent: Arsenal are building a united squad, not just collecting talent.
Why this midfield dynamic matters for Arteta
Mikel Arteta is known to value cohesion just as much as technical quality. As Arsenal prepare to go again in both the Premier League title race and Champions League knockout stages, trust and rhythm in midfield will be crucial. If Rice and the new arrival can form an effective partnership or even push each other competitively, Arsenal’s midfield depth will hit another level.
It also sends a message to the rest of the squad. Even before the season begins, leaders like Rice are making space for new faces and helping them integrate into a team that now expects to challenge for every trophy on offer.
Author Opinion
This might just be a friendly golf photo, but it reflects something deeper. Arsenal are serious about building a unified squad. Declan Rice stepping up as both player and leader shows exactly where the culture is headed under Arteta. With the new Danish midfielder already getting comfortable in the group, Arsenal’s summer is shaping up exactly as it should: focused, bonded, and hungry for more.
