Arsenal star has now set new 2023/24 Premier League record in West Ham thrashing

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Arsenal star Declan Rice had a very happy return to his old club on Sunday as Arsenal cruised to a 6-0 win against West Ham.

Mikel Arteta’s side put in a sensational performance as they recorded their biggest-ever away win in the Premier League, and Rice perservered beyond boos from his old fans to deliver an outstanding midfield display.

Rice, in his new role as a set-piece taker, assisted goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the first-half, before scoring a long-range screamer from outside the box in the second half to top off his fine performance.

His overall display was truly remarkable, and it has now set a record in the Premier League this season.

Declan Rice set Premier League record vs West Ham

Stat site WhoScored have now revealed that, as per their rating system, Rice recorded the best individual performance of any Premier League midfielder in any game this season against West Ham.

His rating of 9.84 out of 10 is about as high as anyone could possibly get without scoring a hattrick, but a long-range stunner and two assists from the base of midfield has earned him these plaudits.

In addition to his output, he also created four chances, made eight passes into the final third, completed four of his five attempted crosses and recorded a 93% pass accuracy, in what was a remarkably complete display.

Declan Rice slays his West Ham demons

Prior to the astonishing win at the London Stadium, Arsenal had lost twice to West Ham this season, in the Carabao Cup as well as in a shock home defeat in December.

Rice was substituted on in the Carabao Cup defeat as his side fell to a 3-1 defeat, and he started, and performed poorly as his old side won 2-0 at the Emirates.

The England star even gave away a penalty in the dying stages of the West Ham home defeat, but David Raya spared his blushes with a superb save.

Some had pointed out that Rice had struggled against the club with whom he won the Europa Conference League as captain last season in both attempts, but he has now crushed any narrative that could have built up from this with his excellent performance on Sunday.

West Ham fans booed Rice during the game, but some applauded him as he went off the pitch as they recognised both his contributions to their club, as well as his stellar display on the day.