Mikel Arteta plays down feud between Declan Rice and Arsenal coach

Declan Rice and Albert Stuivenberg were involved in a brief clash during half-time of Arsenal’s recent 3-2 win against Chelsea, although Mikel Arteta has since moved to downplay the incident. The moment occurred as the players and staff prepared to return to the pitch for the second half, when television cameras captured a heated exchange between the midfielder and the assistant coach in the tunnel area.

Tunnel incident during Chelsea win

The exchange quickly drew attention, particularly after Gabriel intervened to step between the two men and calm the situation. Although the disagreement appeared to be resolved almost immediately, footage of the incident was already circulating and later spread widely online. This distracted slightly from what was otherwise a positive evening for Arsenal, who were pleased to secure an important victory against a direct rival.

For some supporters, the images came as a surprise. Rice has built a reputation for composure and professionalism, and many fans view him as a model figure within the squad. His leadership qualities have been evident since his arrival, and he continues to play a key role both on and off the pitch. Despite the brief altercation, there has been no indication that the incident has affected his standing within the group.