What Declan Rice was seen doing with West Ham staff after Arsenal win in October

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After making the bold decision to leave West Ham United for Arsenal, there was a ton of pressure on Declan Rice’s shoulders.

Rice’s arrival at the Emirates came with heavy expectations, such was the price tag attached to the deal.

And although all parties expected Rice to fare well, the midfielder has surpassed all expectations both on and off the field.

A captain in waiting, the midfielder is already integral to Mikel Arteta’s side on several levels.

That being said, The Athletic have now shared a report detailing some of Rice’s behaviour off of the pitch since making the switch across London.

Of course, Rice is set to meet his old club for the first time in the Premier tonight when West Ham arrive at Arsenal.

However, it was the meeting in the Carabao Cup back in October which proved to be a further display of Rice’s likeable character.

According to this report, Rice spent hours talking to West Ham club staff in the mixed zone after the game, something that is very uncommon with away teams normally in a haste to leave.

Rice had only played a brief cameo in Arsenal’s disappointing loss, but certainly didn’t waste an opportunity to pay his thanks.

Declan Rice stayed with West Ham staff for hours after Arsenal win in October

Of course, the England midfielder will ultimately be hoping to get one over his former side when they square off tonight.

Such is the pace that Liverpool and Manchester City will inevitably set at the top, Arsenal can ill afford any slip ups in the league.

West Ham have proved tricky opposition for The Gunners in the past, even if Arsenal boast a very strong home record this season.

David Moyes has actually been full of praise for Mikel Arteta ahead of tonight’s trip, a player he always believed to have the capacity for coaching.

And it’ll certainly be interesting to see how West Ham will plan to restrict Declan Rice this evening, a player already so crucial to Arsenal.

That being said, it seems as if one of Arsenal’s other vital names at the back could be chased by Saudi sides in January.