DECLAN NICE

ARTETA: He can't speak highly enough about West Ham.... I hope they feel the same way towards him | MOYES: He was brilliant for us and he should be welcomed back here with open arms

- MARTIN BEDFORD, ALAN SMITH

MIKEL ARTETA and David Moyes both hope Declan Rice gets a warm 'welcome back' if he plays at the London Stadium tonight.

Rice quit the Hammers in the summer when Arsenal sealed a club-record £105million deal for the England midfielder.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine start in north London and could be set for his first reunion with his old club in tonight's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.

Rice will be hoping to avoid Arteta's rotation policy having been one of eight players rested for the win at Brentford in the last round as a precaution over a back issue.

He spent a decade with the Hammers having been released by Chelsea as a youngster and lifted the Europa Conference League in his final game as captain (top left).

But Gunners chief Arteta has backed him to be given a rousing reception if he does take part.

"It would be his first time back there at his old club and a beautiful moment for him," he said.