West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has already been full of praise for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, amid reports of a Gunners swoop for the England star.
The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been long-time admirers of Rice, who took over as West Ham captain this season after Mark Noble's retirement. However, league leaders Arsenal have been tipped to steal a march on their rivals with a £75m swoop over the summer.
Rice's West Ham team threatened to upset Arsenal back on Boxing Day, taking the lead at the Emirates Stadium before conceding three second-half goals to lose in north London. Rice was asked about the high-flyers after the game, and his comments about Arteta may well be music to the Gunners' ears.
