David Moyes, the manager of West Ham United, has encouraged fans to extend a warm welcome to former captain Declan Rice when he returns with Arsenal for a Carabao Cup clash.
This will be Rice’s first game against his old club since his £105m summer move to Arsenal.
David Moyes, the manager of West Ham United, has called on the club’s fans to welcome back former captain Declan Rice “with open arms” when he returns to the London Stadium on Wednesday. This marks Rice’s first return to his old club since his £105m transfer to Arsenal during the summer.
England midfielder Rice will face West Ham as an Arsenal player in the upcoming Carabao Cup match. Having made 245 appearances for West Ham, Rice also captained the team to their first Europa Conference League victory, the club’s first silverware in 43 years.
Fans have a history of not extending a warm welcome to former players who return with rival clubs. Despite this, Moyes believes Rice will receive the recognition he merits. “You’ve got to remember this is the man who lifted this club’s first European trophy in more than 50 years,” Moyes stated.
The West Ham manager went on to add, “He should be welcomed back with open arms. We’re all looking forward to seeing him again. He was a brilliant member of the team. He led the team brilliantly well. He conducted himself impeccably as a West Ham captain and as a player.”
Moyes praised Rice’s commitment to West Ham during his tenure, emphasising that Rice gave “100 per cent in every game,” even as it became increasingly clear he would likely leave the club.
“He conducted himself brilliantly well and for that alone he deserves to be cheered. I’m really looking forward to seeing Dec again. I’ve not seen him since he left. I don’t know if I want him to play, but I hope he’s there,” Moyes said.
In preparation for the match against Arsenal, Moyes is expected to include players like Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez, who are both suspended for West Ham’s subsequent Premier League fixture against Brentford due to an accumulation of bookings.
Additionally, former Arsenal players Lukasz Fabianski and Konstantinos Mavropanos are set to feature, along with Emerson Palmieri, who is returning from a suspension.
Declan Rice, for his part, has had a successful start at Arsenal under the management of Mikel Arteta.
Rice’s return to the London Stadium, given his significance to both clubs, promises to be one of the intriguing subplots of the Carabao Cup tie.