West Ham have never missed Declan Rice as much as they do right now but he has made it clear he was right to leave for Arsenal.
Declan Rice may have upset many West Ham fans by leaving for Arsenal.
But he has showed on multiple occasions since, with his words and actions, that he will always love the Hammers.
Whether that be in interviews or by refusing to celebrate after scoring for Arsenal against West Ham.
Or from posting about the club’s anniversary of their Europa Conference League win to donating money to the cause of a cancer stricken young Hammers Academy goalkeeper.
Just last week Rice took to Instagram to post a picture playing golf with West Ham sporting director Mark Noble.
“Tightest of friends always,” Rice said alongside a heart.
Football is fiercely tribal, though, so it’s understandable that many Hammers supporters were angered by their captain’s decision to snub Man City for London rivals Arsenal.
Rice doubles down on big decision to leave West Ham for Arsenal
West Ham fans have been mercilessly taunted by some of their Arsenal counterparts about taking their much-loved captain away in that £105m deal.
Rice – as West Ham fans told Arsenal would be the case – has been a revelation for the Gunners.
When the Hammers played Arsenal on three occasions last season Rice received a mixed reception.
He was also goaded with chants of ‘you should have signed for a big club’.
But his actions in the 6-0 drubbing and the respect he has shown West Ham since will stand him in good stead on his next return.
Rice helped Arsenal challenge Man City for the Premier League title last season but they just fell short.
He left West Ham to ‘compete for and win the biggest silverware around’.
As of now, though, his European triumph with the Hammers remains his last major trophy.
Mikel Arteta will find himself under increasing pressure if that wait goes on too much longer.
Rice could have won the lot by now had he joined Man City.
But the ex Hammer certainly does not regret his move from east to north London.
Rice has doubled down on his big decision to leave West Ham for Arsenal.
‘When I signed, I signed for a massive club’
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Rice volunteered, unprompted, that he made the right decision to join Arsenal.
Speaking alongside Arsenal Ladies star Alessia Russo – who left Man United for the Emirates just before Rice joined – Rice is convinced leaving West Ham for the Gunners was the right choice.
“When I signed here, I signed for a massive club, a lot of expectations,” Rice told Sky Sports in the interview, which you can see below.
“But I do remember her (Russo) singing as we bumped into each other in the gym and then we just got speaking a little bit. It’s just come around so quickly. A year has flown by now. We both had an amazing year. In the second year, we hope to be successful.
“There was so much talk about her coming and I remember seeing that loads of clubs wanted her. But she chose Arsenal and when I bumped into her we were talking about how excited she was to be here.
“She made the right decision and so did I.”
This may antagonise West Ham fans. Especially as the club looks decidedly average in midfield since Rice’s departure.
But the Hammers would not have been able to rebuild their squad without the sale. It’s as simple as that.
One thing that should be noted and respected about Rice is the fact he has never kissed the Arsenal badge like he had done so many times at West Ham.
Given the kind of man he is, he never will either as he knows how much it would hurt Hammers fans.
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