Emmanuel Petit and Mikael Silvestre have urged Declan Rice to leave West Ham - and believe it is time he plays at a higher level amid growing rumours over a potential move to Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has already clocked 225 senior appearances at the Hammers, having made his debut as a teenager during the 2016/17 season. He has won the Player of the Year at the London Stadium on two occasions and was part of the side that finished in the top-seven in back-to-back Premier League campaigns.
Alongside impressing at club level, Rice has also been a key figure for England in recent years, having earned a chance under Gareth Southgate. He played in all seven matches at Euro 2020 as the Three Lions reached the final of the tournament, before going on to be a regular at the Qatar World Cup for his nation.
It has meant that Rice has been linked with a move to a so-called 'big six' club, with Chelsea and Manchester United among his long-term admirers. However, Arsenal have emerged as another potential destination, with Mikel Arteta set to invest in his squad in the summer as he tries to bolster his squad with another midfielder.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, ex-Arsenal star Petit has admitted that Rice should consider a move to the Gunners and leave a struggling West Ham side who are currently fighting relegation. The Frenchman also added that he is a "big fan" of Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo as they continue to be linked with a transfer.
Petit said: "I'm a big fan of Declan Rice. It is time for him to leave West Ham and play at a higher level to reach his potential. He needs to play in important competitions every single season if he wants to improve and move on to the next stage. I think that he is struggling at West Ham and he does not have a good environment to adapt and improve.
"I'm also still a big fan of Mac Allister and Caicedo from Brighton, since I first saw them play. I know Arsenal won't try and buy them all, but they would also fit next to Rice really well.
"It also wouldn't be much of a big move, geographically, for Rice as he is located in London with West Ham, so the move won't hurt too much. But with all due respect to West Ham, it is time for Rice to go.
"It reminds me of Lampard when he first left West Ham and went to Chelsea and look what he achieved for himself. He became one of the best midfielders in the world at Chelsea. Rice should follow his example and leave given Arsenal are ready to buy him."
Meanwhile, fellow former Gunner Silvestre is in agreement and thinks that Rice would fit straight in at the Emirates Stadium given Arsenal's football philosophy. Arteta has made them a tricky team to play against, while also being comfortable in possession and free-flowing in attack with the pace they have got.
Silvestre told bettingexpert : "I think Declan Rice would fit very well into Arsenal's way of playing. I don’t think he would find it difficult and he would adapt quite quickly.
"Rice will perform great for Arsenal like he does for West Ham and England. He is a proper engine and he is very good on the ball as well. I don't think there would be a particular issue with him adapting if he is arriving. I think he would perform very well just as he does for West Ham and England."
