Sport nationMikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from old fans
Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from old fans
Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for a ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from his old fans.
West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.
And that means the return of former West Ham captain Declan Rice for the first time since his £105m summer move to the Gunners.
With Arsenal facing a glut of tough fixtures as they look to challenge for the Premier League title and in the Champions League, many expect Mikel Arteta to field a weakened team against the
So it was assumed Rice would not be lining up against his old side since making the move to the Emirates having rejected a long-term West Ham contract.
But the Arsenal boss has confirmed Rice will face his old club, where there is some uncertainty over the kind of reception he will get from supporters.
Arteta says Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for a ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from his old fans.
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Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“He can be involved, it will be his first time back at his old club and a beautiful moment I think for him,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“I think it’s beautiful (going back to your old club), I had experience to do it a few times and then you really see what they think of you and what you left at that club.
“It’s a really good way to measure your experience and your reality within the reality of the people that share those moments with you.
“I would say so (he will get a good reception from West Ham fans), I hope so. Especially because every time you hear him talk about West Ham and what they did for him and everybody at the club he cannot talk any higher. So hopefully it will be the same way towards him.”
Rice has become an instant hero at Arsenal – just as West Ham fans told Gunners supporters he would.
All eyes will be on Rice’s reception after he helped the club lift a first trophy for over 40 years before moving to Arsenal in a bid to compete for top honours and play in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from old fans
Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from old fans
Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for a ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from his old fans.
West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.
And that means the return of former West Ham captain Declan Rice for the first time since his £105m summer move to the Gunners.
With Arsenal facing a glut of tough fixtures as they look to challenge for the Premier League title and in the Champions League, many expect Mikel Arteta to field a weakened team against the
So it was assumed Rice would not be lining up against his old side since making the move to the Emirates having rejected a long-term West Ham contract.
But the Arsenal boss has confirmed Rice will face his old club, where there is some uncertainty over the kind of reception he will get from supporters.
Arteta says Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for a ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from his old fans.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Arsenal Unveil New Signing Declan Rice
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“He can be involved, it will be his first time back at his old club and a beautiful moment I think for him,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
“I think it’s beautiful (going back to your old club), I had experience to do it a few times and then you really see what they think of you and what you left at that club.
“It’s a really good way to measure your experience and your reality within the reality of the people that share those moments with you.
“I would say so (he will get a good reception from West Ham fans), I hope so. Especially because every time you hear him talk about West Ham and what they did for him and everybody at the club he cannot talk any higher. So hopefully it will be the same way towards him.”
Rice has become an instant hero at Arsenal – just as West Ham fans told Gunners supporters he would.
All eyes will be on Rice’s reception after he helped the club lift a first trophy for over 40 years before moving to Arsenal in a bid to compete for top honours and play in the Champions League.
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