Rice has signed a five-year contract with Arsenal in a deal which has the option of a further year.
“I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been on,” he said.
“Not last season but the season before, they [only] finished fifth, but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing.
“Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with the exception of Manchester City.”
Rice issued an open letter to Hammers fans as he completed his move on Thursday, July 15. The midfielder said it had been a “tough” decision to leave West Ham football club.
“The last few days and weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of emotion,” said Rice.
“I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much. Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.”
At the age of 24, Rice departs West Ham after leading his childhood club to victory in the Europa Conference League last month.
With Rice’s departure, manager David Moyes and his team will now focus on reinvesting the substantial transfer fee to find a suitable replacement. One player who has been linked with a move to the London Stadium is Joao Palhinha. Palhinha, a tough-tackling versatile midfielder currently plays for Fulham.
Rice joined West Ham’s youth academy in 2014. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut in 2017.
During his time at the club, the England international earned 41 caps. Rice played in all five of England’s games during the last world cup in Qatar.
He has also made 245 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 15 goals. He was also a three-time recipient of West Ham’s Player of the Year award.
Rice’s outstanding performances earned him recognition as the Player of the Season in the Europa Conference League. The accolades followed West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the final. The triumph marked the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.
West Ham will now turn their attention to finding a suitable replacement for Rice and continuing their progress under the guidance of manager David Moyes.
At Arsenal, Rice will wear jersey number 41, the same number he wore during his time at the London stadium.
Arsenal have already brought in Germany forward Kai Havertz from Chelsea. Havertz moved to the Gunners in a deal worth a reported 65 million pounds ($82 million).
Arsenal have also signed Netherlands defender Jurriën Timber from Ajax for 40 million euros ($45 million). Timber now strengthens the Gunners’ defensive options ahead of the new season.
