In the moment of seeing Declan Rice chant along with those who had made the trip to witness West Ham United reach a European final after their 3-1 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar made me realise just how difficult it is going to be for Arsenal to steal him away. The Gunners see the England international as their primary target for the summer, football.london understands.
Rice was integral across both legs and the UEFA Europa Conference League has enabled the midfielder to showcase more than just the established defensive traits that Rice could add to the Gunners’ side next season. His goal against Gent was a particular highlight, demonstrating his close control, dribbling, composure and finishing all in a single flurry of brilliance on the ball.
West Ham will now face Fiorentina in the Conference League final on June 7. It could be Rice’s final game for the club should he indeed make the switch this summer, with north London looking the most likely destination.
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Rice’s tenure with West Ham has been associated with the term loyalty. Having signed from Chelsea in 2015, he progressed quickly before making his debut at 18 years of age in the 2016-17 season before breaking out in the following campaign.
Arsenal need the figure that Rice has grown and developed into. An athletic, ball progressor with a fantastic defensive record who can rival and bring competition to Thomas Partey.
Sitting in the 96th percentile for interceptions on FBRef highlights just how good Rice’s reading of the game has become and with the Gunners conceding 42 goals so far in a title-challenging season they know that they need to plug the holes. Looking at rivals Manchester City and Rice is exactly the type of player they would sign, which could become a concern if they decide to try to prevent a switch to Arsenal in the coming weeks.
Yet returning full circle and what Rice could enable by winning against the 8th-placed Serie A side Fiorentina in June would be the perfect send-off from the Hammers. Some players have left sides in the Premier League for the division’s giants to great anger and even hate from their former supporters.
There’s a feeling that even losing the final wouldn’t change Rice’s relationship with the club. Seeing him return potentially in a different side’s shirt will be strange but from an Arsenal perspective there’s no room for sentimentality as they look to chase down the dominant force in England and having one of the country’s best is exactly the pathway to achieving it.
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