Because there is so little love lost between West Ham United and Arsenal, any romantic notions about Declan Rice winning the game’s biggest prizes away from the London Stadium are limited to all but the most pacifistic supporters.
Rice paid a moving tribute to West Ham following Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid. Without the faith and the nurturing of his former club, the England international admits, the heights Declan Rice has scaled would still be a mere pipe dream.
Yet, such is the tribal nature of the sport, there will inevitably be a few boos reserved for the one-time West Ham United captain when he makes his London Stadium return on Sunday.
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For Nuno Espirito Santo, desperate to deliver an almighty blow to Arsenal’s title hopes while boosting his own survival prospects, the potential sight of Rice lifting a domestic and continental double should be a source of pride, rather than bitterness.
Nuno Espirito Santo full of praise for Declan Rice ahead of West Ham United return
“[Rice is] amazing, amazing. Declan is, for sure, one of the best midfielders in the world,” Nuno tells Sky Sports. “He has so much talent, so much energy, physicality, set-pieces… anything that you can deliver inside of the game, he can do it.
“So, I think us at West Ham, we should be proud of how the team has developed a player with so much talent and quality and shown him to the world.
“In a way, I think the respect and the admiration is there for sure, but on Sunday, Declan is going to be our opponent.”
Rice has five goals from central midfield this season, while many of his eleven assists have come from set-pieces.
Set-pieces key as the Hammers host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal
Understandably, given that Arsenal have scored the most in the league with 21, Nuno put extra emphasis on set-piece defending during West Ham’s Rush Green preparations this week.
Alongside Bournemouth with 17, the Hammers have the worst defensive record from corners and free-kicks in 2025/26.
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“Arsenal are one of the teams that takes the most advantage of set-pieces,” Nuno said during his press conference on Friday lunchtime. “We’ve been working [on defending those].
“What we ask of our players is; do your tasks, focus, realise the importance of those moments, and help each other.”
The only question for Mikel Arteta is who partners Rice in the centre? Martin Zubimendi shone when Arsenal beat West Ham in October but Miles Lewis-Skelly was preferred ahead of him against Atletico.
“[Arsenal] don’t have many weaknesses,” Nuno added. “On the ball, off the ball, they are disciplined, organised, talented.
“It’s difficult because they are very good. They are a very talented team fighting for huge things, achieving huge moments in the Champions League and fighting for the league title. They are tough opponents, but we are at the London Stadium.”
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