Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice’s first return to West Ham will be a “beautiful moment” and believes the midfielder deserves a welcoming reception from his former club’s fans.
Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in a £105million deal this summer and could feature when the Gunners go to the London Stadium in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Rice turned down several offers of a new contract before leaving east London, with his desire to leave the club he had joined as a 14-year-old an open secret throughout the latter half of last season.
He signed off in some style, leading the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in Prague and in the process joining Sir Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only West Ham captains to lift major silverware, ending a 43-year trophy drought.
Asked whether he expected Rice to be given a good ovation by Irons supporters, Arteta said: “I would say so and 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 speak any more highly. Hopefully, it will be the same way towards him.”
Whether Rice starts the game remains to be seen, with Arsenal facing a testing trip to Newcastle at the weekend and the Englishman already integral to Arteta’s plans having made a superb start to the season.
Rice has started every Premier League and Champions League game since his summer move and Thomas Partey’s injury means Arteta has even more reason to try to manage his midfield anchor’s minutes.
“He can be involved,” Arteta added. “It would be his first time back there at his old club and a beautiful moment for him. I think it’s beautiful, I had the 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 really good way to measure your experience and the reality of your reality with the people who shared those moments with you.”
