Rice feels like he will get an assist at every corner

Rice feels like he will get an assist at every corner Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Declan Rice has made 74 appearances for EnglandByAlex HowellEngland reporter in Kansas CityPublished21 June 2026Declan Rice feels like he will get an assist "every time" he takes a corner - and says England supporters should be "excited" for what is to come at the World Cup.England looked threatening from set-pieces during their 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match of the tournament.Harry Kane's opening goal from the penalty spot came after Noni Madueke was fouled following a Rice cross - and the England captain headed home his second from a Rice corner.The 27-year-old was part of an Arsenal side that scored from a record 19 corners last season as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.However, the Gunners faced criticism for a pragmatic style of play and reliance on set-pieces (scoring 25 goals from set-plays overall)."Everyone's enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren't they?" Rice said, speaking to BBC Sport at England's base in Kansas City. "Everyone's enjoying them now."Rice became Arsenal's designated set-piece taker in January 2024 after a mid-season training camp in Dubai - and the Gunners are now renowned for their prowess from such situations."I wouldn't ever take corners or set-pieces, but [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn't," Rice said."They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that. "As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece - whether it's a corner or a wide free-kick - I feel like I'm going to get an assist or make something happen that's dangerous."That's a good mentality to have...