Arsenal star Declan Rice took a trip down memory lane, reflecting on a historic night at West Ham while on his Champions League travels.
The midfielder has been a key player for the Gunners ever since he made the transfer from the Hammers for £105 million.
That money has been repaid with some top performances, as Arsenal rely on Declan Rice to help them continue their fine run of form.
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The England international has yet to achieve one thing with the Gunners so far, however, which he did do at West Ham.
That is winning trophies.
Declan Rice looks on before Slavia Prague vs Arsenal in the Champions League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Declan Rice reflects on West Ham’s Europa Conference League win
While Declan Rice has grown into a top player, that development hasn’t all happened during his time at Arsenal.
Coming through the West Ham ranks, the midfielder had to fight his way into the team and continue progressing.
That led him to be the club captain, where Rice was an ever-present force, particularly in the Europa Conference League triumph.
In 2023, the Hammers ran out as 2-1 winners over Fiorentina in Prague, making memories that will last a lifetime.
Rice was reflecting on those recently as his Arsenal side took on Slavia Prague back at the stadium where the victory took place.
The midfielder took to Instagram stories to post a heartfelt message with a picture of the stadium that reads: “This exact end and stadium. The best memories here. Forever grateful.”
It’s a heartfelt moment, not least for the West Ham fans who still have mixed feelings surrounding Rice’s exit from the club.
The midfielder has come a long way since his debut in professional football, but he certainly hasn’t forgotten where it all started.
Declan Rice lifts the Europa Conference League with West Ham
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Declan Rice still searching for next trophy with Arsenal
Rice’s victory with West Ham in the Europa Conference League was a clear career highlight for the star so far.
While the move to Arsenal brought about the promise of more trophies, that hasn’t been the case so far.
The Gunners continue to get close, but narrowly missed out on the chance to earn silverware in the Premier League and Champions League.
Rice admitted when he joined the club in 2023 that he wanted to be judged on his trophy haul, as he told BBC Sport: “You only get one career and at the end you want to be determined by how many trophies you have won.
“I know this squad is so hungry to win stuff. We are young and hungry and have a lot of energy.
“Off the back of last season, they will have learned a lot, so this year, with all the competitions we are going into, there is one aim and that is to win, not just to take part.”
That hasn’t quite happened for him yet, but there is a sense that this season could be the one for Arsenal.