West Ham boss David Moyes has paid Arsenal star Declan Rice the ultimate compliment ahead of their reunion part two.
West Ham and Arsenal are gearing up for the Declan Rice derby part two at the Emirates on Thursday night.
The Hammers have fond memories of their last meeting with the Gunners after comfortably winning 3-1 in the Carabao Cup last month.
Rice came on in that game but could not turn the tide as he received a mixed – but generally respectful and warm – welcome at the London Stadium.
Both West Ham and Arsenal made changes for that game.
But make no mistake David Moyes and Mikel Arteta will be fielding their strongest available line-ups for this one.
And that will mean Rice in from the start against his old club.
Moyes pays Rice the ultimate compliment
West Ham boss Moyes has paid Arsenal star Rice the ultimate compliment ahead of the latest reunion.
One would expect Moyes to be asked about Rice pre-match. And he has been – we’ll get to that shortly.
But actually the Scot brought up his former skipper of his own volition when he was defending his record at West Ham after the win over Man United.
Praise does not come any higher as Moyes labelled the departed ex Hammers hero ‘the best player in England’.
“I shouldn’t have to really (defend my record at West Ham),” Moyes said after Man United.
“If you look at the points we had this year I think we have won 31 games or something if you go calendar year we have won a trophy in the middle of it as well. West Ham are not going to win all our games. We are not that club, we’re not that team, we are not ready to do that. I think we can build towards it.
‘We lost the best player in England’
“I had 11 years at Everton, we built every year and we (West Ham) just lost the best player in England (Declan Rice) and that takes time to get back and do the job.
“But look we are in a lofty position and we are disappointed we went out in the week but if we would have been knocked out against Lincoln in first round I don’t know if people would have been talking quite as much about it.”
When asked specifically about Rice before the trip to Arsenal, Moyes told the Premier League website ‘everyone is happy for him’. And he believes Rice has made Arsenal more legitimate title contenders.
‘We’re all happy for Dec, he’s made Arsenal more mature’
“We’re all pleased for Declan Rice,” Moyes said.
“No one ever doubted his ability and, while we won’t be cheering him on against us on Thursday evening, we’re always looking out for him.
“I said right from the start that I thought Declan Rice was a top player and I thought his value could have been greater. We got the price we wanted though, and Dec got the move he wanted, so it was a move that worked for both parties.
“I think Declan would make any team more mature and improve any team in the Premier League so I think their current levels are partially to do with him right now.”
Arsenal will be missing five players for the match with West Ham.
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