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Mikel Arteta Addresses Declan Rice Bust-Up: Insights into the Clash between England Midfielder and 'AirPods Albert'

Mikel Arteta assures that the disagreement between Declan Rice and Arsenal assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg has been resolved after a heated exchange during the Carabao Cup match against Chelsea. Get an inside look at the incident and how it was resolved.

Mikel Arteta Addresses Declan Rice Bust-Up: Insights into the Clash between England Midfielder and 'AirPods Albert'

Mikel Arteta insists the issue between Declan Rice and Arsenal assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg is “all sorted” after the pair clashed during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory at Chelsea. The duo were involved in a heated argument during the half-time interval at Stamford Bridge, but the Gunners manager is adamant the problem has now been resolved.Eyebrows were raised in midweek when cameras caught Arsenal midfielder Rice and Arteta’s right-hand man Stuivenberg at loggerheads at the halfway point against Chelsea.With Arteta’s side 1-0 up thanks to Ben White’s first-half header, Rice and Stuivenberg - who is often referred to as ‘AirPods Albert’ due to his penchant for wearing an earpiece during matches - were seen arguing in the tunnel.According to the Daily Mail, England international Rice reportedly shouted “he doesn’t know what he’s on about” towards the Dutchman, before adding “oh for f*ck's sake”, with emotions running high.However, both Rice and Stuivenberg did embrace when the former was substituted on the 82-minute mark of the League Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. The visitors secured a 3-2 win over Liam Rosenior’s Blues after Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi added to White’s earlier effort. Chelsea remain in the tie ahead of the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on February 3 after substitute Alejandro Garnacho scored a second-half brace.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!When asked about the incident involving Rice and Stuivenberg ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Arteta simply said: “[It’s] all sorted, all good.”And when pushed on whether the matter highlighted Rice’s intense drive to succeed, the Spaniard added: “Yes, and the good thing is that by the time I found out the problem was resolved so that's very good.”Arteta and Stuivenberg developed a bond when studying for their UEFA A coaching licenses with the Football Association of Wales in Cardiff.Stuivenberg spent 13 years working in the academy of Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord, before becoming assistant coach to compatriot Louis van Gaal at Manchester United in 2014. The 55-year-old - who also managed Belgian side Genk for a year between 2016 and 2017 - joined Arteta’s coaching staff in 2019 after his close friend was named Arsenal head coach in December of that year.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAfter successive victories in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively, Arsenal return to league action when they travel to strugglers Nottingham Forest this weekend.The north Londoners - who ran out 4-1 winners over Championship side Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday, before beating Chelsea - are looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League by emerging from the City Ground with all three points.Previewing the trip to Forest - who are currently 17th in the league, having lost four of their last five top-flight fixtures, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough. They (Forest) are a team that we have beaten over the last few years, and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean [Dyche], they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous.“He's a top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints on the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you. He's so experienced in the league, so it's a very tough match.”And when asked about the mood in the Arsenal camp, with the club having put together a 10-game unbeaten streak since losing 2-1 at fellow title contenders Aston Villa on December 6, Arteta added: “I think we are building very good momentum, and belief comes from performances, and the level of consistency that we have shown through our 32 games already this season, and what we did the other day at Stamford Bridge, it should help us to be very convinced that we have the ability to do that. “But the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen. But we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions.”

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The Clash at Stamford Bridge

During the halftime interval of the Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea, Declan Rice and Albert Stuivenberg were caught in a heated argument, drawing attention from fans and media alike. Emotions ran high as Rice reportedly expressed frustration towards Stuivenberg, but the matter was later resolved.

2

Resolution and Reconciliation

Despite the on-field dispute, Declan Rice and Albert Stuivenberg embraced when Rice was substituted late in the match, indicating that the issue had been resolved amicably. Mikel Arteta confirmed that the problem was 'all sorted' and emphasized that it was a positive outcome.

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Insight into the Coaching Relationship

Mikel Arteta and Albert Stuivenberg share a strong bond developed during their coaching studies in Cardiff. With Stuivenberg's vast coaching experience and close relationship with Arteta, the incident between Rice and 'AirPods Albert' is likely an isolated disagreement in an otherwise harmonious coaching setup.

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Arsenal's Winning Streak

Following successive victories in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Arsenal is aiming to continue their impressive form in the Premier League. Arteta's squad faces Nottingham Forest with the intent to maintain their lead at the top of the table, backed by a 10-game unbeaten streak.

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Looking Ahead: Forest Challenge

As Arsenal prepares to face Nottingham Forest, Arteta acknowledges the challenge of winning away matches in the Premier League. With Forest known for their efficiency and strong coaching under Sean Dyche, Arteta emphasizes the importance of consistency and performance in maintaining their title aspirations.

Published on Jan 17, 2026