Why fearless Rice deserves a standing ovation

DECLAN RICE has made Arsenal even better, which is why he has been my signing of the season.

He has gone from West Ham with top-six ambitions to a club competing in the Champions League and for Premier League titles. That’s a very different kind of pressure but Rice has been fearless in coping both with the added scrutiny and a £100million price tag.

He has adapted his game. He was able to focus on his defensive work at West Ham whereas Arsenal dominate possession so he needs to show ability on the ball and make productive passes. He has done all of that and popped up with the occasional important goal, too. The ease with which he has made the transition has surprised even me, despite having no doubts about his mentality.

Rice has been Arsenal’s best player, which is hugely impressive given the quality that Mikel Arteta already possessed in the Gunners dressing room.

Injury to Thomas Partey has meant Rice has played mostly as the deepest of Arsenal’s midfielders but, when Jorginho came in against Liverpool last Sunday, Rice had an opportunity to express himself and press higher up the pitch. Liverpool found his athleticism hard to cope with.

The 25-year-old returns today to London Stadium, where he was booed by a section of West Ham fans in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

It saddened rather than surprised me. There is a minority who judge him solely on joining another London club rather than the years of service he gave West Ham, including lifting a European trophy. If anyone deserves a standing ovation going to his former club, it’s Declan Rice and you will hear appreciation towards him from many West Ham fans.

If a mindless few want to sing songs about him being greedy, that’s rubbish. He wanted the chance to challenge for the biggest trophies, which he deserved.

Rice could be up against his England pal Kalvin Phillips today.

Phillips has had a difficult start to life as a Hammer with a couple of mistakes that have led to goals. Would I start him against Arsenal? Absolutely.

This is a time a new signing needs the manager to keep faith. If David Moyes puts Phillips on the bench today, it will only give him a higher mountain to climb.

I was in a similar situation when I left Liverpool for Charlton. I didn’t start well and there was talk Alan Curbishley might leave me out against Birmingham. I had a chat with the manager, he stuck with me and I played well. It helped turn things around for me and Phillips has all the tools to do the same.