Declan Rice’s intent was clear from the beginning of the game against Arsenal. He won the ball twice within the first 30 seconds of the game by quickly pressing the Gunners players and panicking them into errors.
This was going to become a feature of the match and precisely how West Ham scored their first goal which resulted in Said Benrahma’s clinical penalty.
Put simply Rice was exceptional against Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders and The Hammers captain’s performance would have only strengthened Arsenal’s resolve to purchase him.
Rice & Arteta
It’s long been rumoured that the contract between player and buying club has been agreed but there has been no contact between Arsenal and West Ham. Of course these are just rumours and might not hold any truth whatsoever but Declan did his value no harm at all with his performance against The Gunners at The London Stadium.
It will have strengthened any desire Arteta might have to sign Rice, and places West Ham in a much better bargaining position. Reports on the players value vary but it is believed Arsenal consider Rice to be worth £70m whilst the Hammers heirarchy are looking for closer to £100m.