{"id":4640,"date":"2026-05-06T06:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4640"},"modified":"2026-05-06T06:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:09:16","slug":"declan-rice-thanks-west-ham-and-mark-noble-as-arsenal-reach-champions-league-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4640","title":{"rendered":"Declan Rice thanks West Ham and Mark Noble as Arsenal reach Champions League final"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Classy Declan Rice had some beautiful words for West Ham and Mark Noble as Arsenal reached the Champions League final with victory over Atletico Madrid.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This time three years ago Declan Rice was leading West Ham into a first European final for decades and now he has done the same with Arsenal.<\/p>\n

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Rice captained the Hammers to victory in that Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.<\/p>\n

As things stand, it remains Rice\u2019s last major trophy following a barren first three years with the Gunners.<\/p>\n

Classy Rice says Arsenal have West Ham and Noble to thank<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For how much longer remains to be seen with the north Londoners now in with a chance of Premier League and Champions League glory.<\/p>\n

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How does Mateus Fernandes compare to a young Declan Rice? \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9<\/h3>\n

What can he still IMPROVE upon?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

West Ham would have been watching on in fear seeing the Gunners rediscovering some form heading into the monumental clash between Rice\u2019s former club and his current side this Sunday.<\/p>\n

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While the Premier League title is on the line for Arsenal, survival is at stake for the Hammers.<\/p>\n

Rice will get a warm reception from the majority of West Ham fans \u2013 as he always does \u2013 before the pantomime boos begin.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

\u2018Without West Ham there\u2019s no me\u2019 says Rice<\/h2>\n

And Rice showed his pure class yet again by thanking West Ham and Mark Noble.<\/p>\n

When being interviewed on TV after the game, Rice said it pains him to see West Ham in relegation danger.<\/p>\n

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What are the chances that anyone goes for a BIGGER fee than Declan Rice? \ud83d\udcb8<\/h3>\n

And how much would you demand for Jarrod Bowen?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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He said West Ham \u2018gave him everything\u2019 and credited the Hammers with making him the player he is today.<\/p>\n

He also lauded Noble for being a mentor even since his move to Arsenal.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Charlie Crowhurst \u2013 UEFA\/UEFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a club that gave me everything,\u201d Rice told Amazon Prime.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout West Ham, there\u2019s no me. I honestly believe that. They gave me a chance when Chelsea didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people there really did push me on. (David) Moyes, (Slaven) Bilic, and (Manuel) Pellegrini made me captain. There\u2019s loads of good things about that club.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not nice to see the position they are, but it\u2019s football and I have a job to do. We\u2019re trying to win a Premier League title. May the best team win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rice has previously referred to West Ham legend and former teammate Noble as a \u201csecond dad\u201d.<\/p>\n

Amazon played a tribute to Rice from West Ham\u2019s sporting director before Arsenal\u2019s semi-final second leg.<\/p>\n

When Rice was told about Noble\u2019s interview, he wore a huge smile as he thanked his ex midfield partner for \u2018always being there for advice on how to get through things\u2019 and teaching him so much.<\/p>\n

As previously revealed by Hammers News, West Ham do not receive bonus cash if Rice wins the Champions League.<\/p>\n

However, the Hammers do receive \u00a31m every time Arsenal qualify for Europe\u2019s top competition for the first five years of Rice\u2019s contract.<\/p>\n

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