Declan Rice explains love for West Ham and how scoring against them really felt

Declan Rice has reaffirmed his lasting affection for West Ham United, admitting that scoring against his former side for Arsenal was a weird feeling. Speaking to GQ, the England midfielder reflected on his enduring bond with the club and selected his solo strike against Gent in the 2023 Europa Conference League as the favorite goal of his entire career, rating it above his free-kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid.

Rice explained that while he must deliver for his current club Arsenal following his 105 million pound move in 2023, West Ham remains a massive part of his life. Former coach Mark Phillips previously indicated Rice expressed a desire to return one day, though the midfielder remains firmly established at Arsenal.