Declan Rice thanks West Ham and Mark Noble as Arsenal reach Champions League final

Rice captained the Hammers to victory in that Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.

As things stand, it remains Rice’s last major trophy following a barren first three years with the Gunners.

Classy Rice says Arsenal have West Ham and Noble to thank

After declaring he wanted to leave West Ham to compete for and win the top trophies in the game, that fact has been used as ammunition to goad Arsenal and Rice.

For how much longer remains to be seen with the north Londoners now in with a chance of Premier League and Champions League glory.

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Rice was man of the match as victory over Atletico Madrid put Arsenal into the final where they will face the might of either PSG or Bayern Munich.

West Ham would have been watching on in fear seeing the Gunners rediscovering some form heading into the monumental clash between Rice’s former club and his current side this Sunday.

While the Premier League title is on the line for Arsenal, survival is at stake for the Hammers.

Rice will get a warm reception from the majority of West Ham fans – as he always does – before the pantomime boos begin.

The midfielder did burn his bridges with some supporters by pushing to join a London rival, but on the whole there is great respect between Rice and West Ham fans.

That was on display again moments after the final whistle blew against Atleti as Arsenal made a first Champions League final in 20 years.

‘Without West Ham there’s no me’ says Rice

And Rice showed his pure class yet again by thanking West Ham and Mark Noble.

When being interviewed on TV after the game, Rice said it pains him to see West Ham in relegation danger.

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He said West Ham ‘gave him everything’ and credited the Hammers with making him the player he is today.

He also lauded Noble for being a mentor even since his move to Arsenal.

“It’s a club that gave me everything,” Rice told Amazon Prime.

“Without West Ham, there’s no me. I honestly believe that. They gave me a chance when Chelsea didn’t.

“A lot of people there really did push me on. (David) Moyes, (Slaven) Bilic, and (Manuel) Pellegrini made me captain. There’s loads of good things about that club.

“It’s not nice to see the position they are, but it’s football and I have a job to do. We’re trying to win a Premier League title. May the best team win.”

Rice has previously referred to West Ham legend and former teammate Noble as a “second dad”.

Amazon played a tribute to Rice from West Ham’s sporting director before Arsenal’s semi-final second leg.

When Rice was told about Noble’s interview, he wore a huge smile as he thanked his ex midfield partner for ‘always being there for advice on how to get through things’ and teaching him so much.

As previously revealed by Hammers News, West Ham do not receive bonus cash if Rice wins the Champions League.

However, the Hammers do receive £1m every time Arsenal qualify for Europe’s top competition for the first five years of Rice’s contract.