- Declan Rice qualified for the Champions League final on Tuesday night after Arsenal’s 1-0 win vs Atlético Madrid
- The midfielder spent a decade with West Ham before joining the Gunners for a Premier League record fee in 2023
- The Hammers face Arsenal on Sunday at the London Stadium
Former West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice was instrumental in Arsenal securing their place in the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years.
Rice, who joined the North London club in 2023 for a Premier League record fee of £100 million, has seen his three years with the Gunners produce gradual progression alongside Europe’s elite as they edge closer to the prospect of completing a Premier League and European double.
27-year-old Rice spent ten years with West Ham, joining the academy setup in 2013 and becoming a mainstay in the first team after his debut in 2017 and captaining the club to its first major European trophy since 1965 in June 2023.
Declan Rice highlights West Ham influence in Champions League progression
Despite polarizing fan sentiment, the England international maintains that the club was essential in his formative football development. Speaking to Amazon Prime following Arsenal’s 2-1 semi-final win against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night, Rice said as much.
“It’s a club that gave me everything. Without West Ham, there’s no me. I honestly believe that. They gave me a chance when Chelsea didn’t.
“A lot of people there really did push me on. [David] Moyes, [Slaven] Bilic, and [Manuel] Pellegrini made me captain. There’s loads of good things about that club.
Rice also highlighted the impact of West Ham club legend Mark Noble, with the pair being teammates for much of the former’s first-team time in East London. Rice will return to the London Stadium on Sunday as Arsenal take on West Ham in a game that is vital for both sides’ end-of-season aims.
The Hammers are 18th in the Premier League with three games to go and are one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the final safety spot. While Arsenal are aiming to close out the Premier League title race following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday.
Asked about his thoughts on West Ham’s situation ahead of Sunday’s clash, Rice replied: “It’s not nice to see the position they are, but it’s football, and I have a job to do. We’re trying to win a Premier League title. May the best team win.”
