Arsenal’s Box-to-Box Engine Talks Energy, Evolution, and Endurance
When you think of a modern midfielder who combines raw athleticism, defensive grit, and attacking instinct, Declan Rice is likely one of the first names that springs to mind. The Arsenal and England star has made a name for himself as one of the most complete midfielders in world football, and now he’s lending that profile to a new frontier — the UK expansion of CELSIUS, a fast-growing energy drink brand making serious waves.
The move makes sense. Declan Rice is more than just a footballer. He’s become a symbol of evolution, not only in his own playing style, but also in what it means to be a midfielder in the high-tempo, high-stakes landscape of the Premier League.
And as Declan Rice puts it: “Fuelling right is key.”
The Rise of a Modern Midfield Machine
Rewind the clock just a few years, and Declan Rice was carving out his reputation at West Ham United as a traditional holding midfielder — a number six with calm composure, positional intelligence, and the kind of tackle timing that would make old-school defenders proud. At one point, pundits and fans alike were touting him as a potential long-term centre-back, in the mould of Bobby Moore.
But Declan Rice had other ideas.
“I was always labelled a holding midfielder that just sits in front of the back four,” Declan Rice admitted. “Now I really want to see myself as a box-to-box player where I can get up and down and create things as well as getting back and helping the team.”
That evolution has been dramatic — and hugely effective. Since making his high-profile £105 million switch to Arsenal in 2023, Declan Rice has added goals, assists, and a real forward thrust to his game. In fact, across his first two seasons in north London, he’s notched 35 goal contributions — with more already in 2024/25 than the entirety of the previous campaign.
Eight goals and ten assists so far this season don’t just look good on the stat sheet — they speak volumes about his ability to impact both ends of the pitch. That dual capability is exactly what CELSIUS saw when they decided to make Declan Rice one of the faces of their UK campaign.
Declan Rice x CELSIUS: A Natural Fit
For CELSIUS, a brand that has rapidly grown in the United States thanks to its clean energy promise (zero sugar, essential energy, no crash), Declan Rice represents everything they’re about: stamina, focus, and performance without compromise.
“As a box-to-box midfielder, fuelling right is key,” Declan Rice says of his decision to link up with CELSIUS. “The game demands everything from you — focus, energy, endurance — and CELSIUS gives me that energy boost with zero sugar, helping me to stay sharp and to combat fatigue so I can go the distance every game.”
It’s not just marketing speak. If you’ve watched Declan Rice in an Arsenal shirt — or for the England national team — you’ll know how relentless he is. Whether he’s recovering possession deep in his own half or arriving late in the box to get on the end of a cross, his motor never seems to stop.
For a brand like CELSIUS, which is entering the ultra-competitive UK energy drink market, aligning with athletes who personify that ‘all-action’ ethos is critical. And in Declan Rice, they’ve found the perfect ambassador.
Georgia Stanway: CELSIUS’ Other Midfield Dynamo
Rice isn’t alone in this partnership. CELSIUS have also teamed up with England Lionesses star Georgia Stanway — another high-energy, box-to-box midfielder with a relentless playing style. Now at Bayern Munich, Stanway’s role mirrors Declan Rice’s in many ways: breaking up opposition play, covering every blade of grass, and contributing in attack.
“Football is a high-tempo game,” Stanway says. “You need to stay sharp for 90 minutes and even into extra-time. CELSIUS gives me the energy I need to help me focus, dig deeper, and fight fatigue so I can perform at my best — whether for club or country, or just pushing myself in the gym.”
Like Rice, Stanway is a figurehead for the modern game: technically adept, physically elite, and mentally relentless. CELSIUS‘ alignment with players like these reflects their broader branding strategy — they’re not just selling energy drinks; they’re selling a lifestyle of sustained performance and no compromise.
Fuel for a New Football Era
Footballers today are expected to be more than just specialists. The rigid tactical roles of the past have evolved. Holding midfielders now need to progress the ball. Strikers must press. Centre-backs are expected to dribble. And midfielders? They have to do everything — and keep doing it for 90+ minutes.
Declan Rice embodies that shift. In an Arsenal side that thrives on intensity, positional flexibility, and controlled aggression, Declan Rice has found his calling as the ultimate in-game problem solver. He reads the game like a seasoned veteran, but plays it with the physicality of someone who seems to get stronger with each passing minute.
That ability to sustain performance is what makes the partnership with CELSIUS feel so organic. Unlike traditional energy drinks, which often rely on sugar spikes and subsequent crashes, CELSIUS is positioning itself as a smarter, cleaner alternative for high-performing individuals — not just athletes, but anyone who values mental and physical stamina.
And that message resonates.
What’s Next for Declan Rice and CELSIUS?
The timing of this partnership is also telling. With Euro 2024 on the horizon, and Arsenal still battling for major honours, Rice is at the centre of two of the biggest narratives in English football. His every move is scrutinised, his performances dissected, and his influence only continues to grow.
For CELSIUS, being associated with a player of Rice’s calibre — someone whose image carries both credibility and relatability — is a masterstroke. Unlike flashy influencers or retired legends, Rice is in the thick of the action every week. He’s real, he’s current, and he’s thriving.
And for Rice, this partnership might just be the first of many in a growing off-the-pitch portfolio that’s beginning to reflect his on-field maturity.
Final Whistle
In an age where image and authenticity can be difficult to balance, Declan Rice has found a way to represent both. Whether he’s dominating the midfield for Arsenal, rallying the Three Lions at a major tournament, or lending his name to a brand that aligns with his values, Declan Rice is navigating his career with the same intelligence and energy he brings to every match.
“Fuelling right is key,” he says — and coming from a player whose game has never looked sharper, it’s advice worth taking.
