---
title: "“Without West Ham, there’s no me”: Arsenal midfielder speaks on the Hammers’ past and future"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/declan-rice-arsenal-west-ham-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ralphael Adelugba"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-05-06T10:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-05-06T11:05:28Z"
---

# “Without West Ham, there’s no me”: Arsenal midfielder speaks on the Hammers’ past and future

- **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](https://readwestham.com/2021/09/29/opinion-declan-rice-stat-proves-doubters-wrong/), who joined [the North London club](https://readarsenal.com/) 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](https://readwestham.com/), 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjWrgdhW31s) 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](https://readchelsea.com/) didn’t.*

*“A lot of people there really did push me on. [\[David\] Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/04/david-moyes-can-save-west-ham-from-relegation-again/),* [*\[Slaven\]* *Bilic,*](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/05/west-ham-target-slaven-bilic-if-relegated/) *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](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/match-officials-west-ham-vs-arsenal-confirmed/) 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](https://readwestham.com/2026/05/06/west-ham-survival-situation-gameweek-35/) 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.”*