Declan Rice has once again declared his deep love for West Ham and opened up on the strange feeling of scoring against his former club for Arsenal.

He may have been playing in the red and white of the Gunners for the last three-and-a-half years, but England midfielder Declan Rice has also delivered a significant reminder of his affection for the Hammers by choosing a goal he scored for them as his favourite of his entire career.

And the admission is made all the more eyebrow-raising given Rice has overlooked two stunning free-kicks for Arsenal against Real Madrid to pick his remarkable solo effort for West Ham against Gent in the Europa Conference League as the strike that he treasures the most.

Speaking to GQ, the former West Ham captain reflected on the goal that helped the Hammers on their way to European glory in 2023.

Declan Rice picks West Ham goal above Arsenal free-kicks

“My favourite goal is when I was playing for West Ham in the Conference League,” Rice said.

“I picked the ball up on the edge of our own box and ran the whole pitch.

“As I was running forward I just remember the stadium getting louder and louder and louder, and as I scored the goal the place just erupted. So I think that was one of my best solo goals.”

It was a special moment in a special campaign for West Ham, with Rice at the heart of everything as David Moyes’ side went all the way to lift the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.

What better excuse to watch it again.

The midfielder’s memories of that night clearly remain close to his heart, even after his £105m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2023.

Rice did not stop at discussing his favourite goal. He also spoke candidly about his continued connection to West Ham and the emotions involved in facing his old club.

“I obviously love West Ham so much still, still a massive part of my life, I still watch them.

Rice admits scoring against West Ham felt ‘weird’

“To score against them was obviously a weird feeling but when you move clubs you have to do the business for the club that you’re playing for.”

There has been no shortage of reminders that the relationship has not simply disappeared. Rice has continued to show an interest in his former club, including engaging with West Ham-related social media content, while his affection for the people and supporters who helped shape his career has remained evident.

His former coach and close friend Mark Phillips has previously spoken about Rice’s desire to return to West Ham one day, quoting him as saying: “I want to come back.”

That does not mean a return is likely at any time in the near future, particularly with Rice established at Arsenal and committed to his career there. But his latest comments are another indication that West Ham remains far more than just a former employer to him.

There will inevitably be mixed feelings among supporters. Rice’s decision to join Arsenal rather than pursue other options was difficult for some to accept, especially given his status as captain and Academy graduate.

But choosing his Gent goal as the best of his career, while openly admitting that scoring against West Ham felt strange, reinforces the connection that remains.

Rice has enjoyed some extraordinary moments in an Arsenal shirt, but when asked to pick the goal that means the most, he went straight back to West Ham.

That is unlikely to go unnoticed in east London.