Five games in- do we miss Declan Rice at all?

[El Scorchio]

"Maybe this is a little too early to have this debate, but five games in and you’d have to say not at all so far. The midfield seems to function just as well in defence and attack, and we’ve spent the money very wisely on Alvarez and JWP as replacements, it seems thus far and if Kudus turns out to be decent then we’ve invested extremely wisely. Any thoughts? Is it too early to say?"

[Far Cough]

Delcan Who? Never heard of the cսnt.

[lowlife]

"Not yet, and I don’t think we will. There’s more collective responsibility, and we’ve bought some excellent players with significant leadership experience. Also reckon that a lot of other players are stepping out of his shadow - he was getting too much attention imo."

[Moncurs Putting Iron]

"Still think he is one hell of a player and a leader on and off the field in that regards yes BUT We look more balanced, have more depth, are not having to play players in compromised positions to support his demands/requests to be more box to box and free role. (Paqueta and Soucek to name two) We have spent wisely and seem settled. Things are definitely not worse without him, just different. Totally able to move on without looking back or having regret."

[Mickey Rat]

"At the moment no and hopefully we'll have a better premiership season than last year's and we seem to have bought well. I wish he'd stayed but the money has allowed us the strenghtehn in depth, I'd have hated him going to Chelsea, Spurs or the Manc sides but can't get too worked up about him going the Arse, in fact I'd quite like them to knock Citeh and their middle eatern dictatorsdhip owners off the top spot"

[wd40]

After scoring his1st goal for them he was so close in kissing that gunners badge -give it time . like a 1st love or some one braking your heart after a long relationship time its time to move and was good while it lasted . or was it that good? -am not bitter.

[LAF]

"Of course we miss him. The dream would have been to keep him for a pop at Europa and a way into the Champs League. Meanwhile, continue with building the team around him with the players we brought in. However….thanks for the memories, Dec. He’s moved on.and we haven’t stood still weeping about it neither."

[BillyJenningsBoots]

I miss Neil Orr...

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

"Terrible loss for us in terms of club status. He left to win trophies a month or two after we won a trophy. Showing we are still powerless to one of the top four/six. On the pitch, I think we have balanced our midfield for the better though. Alvarez and JWP suit a 4141 formation that has worked for Moyes in the past. Don’t think he add a great deal more to the starting line up tbh."

[kylay]

"Fully agree with what's been said. Rice's media circus became a big distraction, and I'm glad that's over with. I think it messed with his head and disrupted team chemistry. I don't mean to imply he downed tools or didn't give his all. Thought he tried his best and was probably a bit young to have all of that on his shoulders. We certainly seem more balanced currently. That could also be down to circumstance as well. Aguerd isn't on a months-long ankle injury. Zouma isn't on knee surgery. Antonio and Bowen are not a shadow of themselves. Emerson doesn't look totally shot of confidence. Paqueta isn't deployed as a 10."

[RM10]

"No worse without Declan but imagine him staying with the new boys we have, that would have been better"

[Gary Strodders shank]

Perhaps JWPs record from free kicks is scaring teams off from making challenges anywhere within sight of the goal.

[stewie griffin]

"not really....as ever when you sell someone for big money, depends on how you replace them...and it seems thus far that our business was excellent. For JWP to get 5 goal involvements (2 goals and 3 assists) in his first 4 games is superb. Love the bloke, and his little crossed hammers - done properly, not the X Factor sign - was another little touch of class. Undemonstrative, subtle, but just a message that he gets it. Mind you, Spurs have improved quite dramatically for losing Hick as well, and you don't imagine that'll last, so probably best to wait a while."

[Fauxstralian]

JWP's corners have been excellent .... but by my recollection we have had ZERO free kicks within 30 yards of goal in 5 matches. My personal view is that we look a more balanced team compared to when Rice Of The Rovers played teams on his own.

[Capitol Man]

Gary Strodders shank 2:30 Mon Sep 18 Re: Five games in- do we miss Declan Rice at all? Has he even had a free kick in a decent position yet?

[greenie1]

"Must admit and most probably like everyone else, I was gutted that he joined the Arse. However, we knew it was coming. It is only 5 games in, we have a long way to go yet, but so far, we are looking good. JWP and Alvarez look solid. Disappointed with losing to Man City, really thought we could have got a draw out of that."

[Gary Strodders shank]

"JWP has played 4 games for us and although a different type of midfielder to Rice, in terms of delivering an end product thus far has exceeded all of my expectations. Chelsea 2 assists Brighton 1 goal Luton 1 assist Man City 1 goal That's some going and that form will no doubt tail off but he also seems to embrace the values of the club and genuinely loves playing for us."

[Nick QQQ]

"Overall it's worked out, but it's early days. In saying that if we'd had Alvarez and JWP in the squad as well as Rice, that would be some midfield. Like others have said, also having such focus on your ""star"" was causing us a lot of problems. Other players would be looking for him to pass to, which meant we went backwards a lot. Anyway...."

[the exile]

"Likewise, we're doing better than I thought we would. JWP has exceeded my expectations by some distance. I expected Alvarez to be good and he also has been even better. Kudus still has to find his feet but I think he's going to be a very important part of the side. It seems to me we have more balance as a side without that dependency on Rice. However, the new side is still evolving and taking shape. For me, there are two main things that still need to happen and which will make us into a really strong side. Firstly, Moyes needs to accept that Soucek becomes a squad player - there's no place for him in our best eleven. Even though he's had some decent games recently, that's how it is, and he will know he's got to fight for his place. Secondly, the role of Kudus needs to be sorted out. He should be one of the first names on the team sheet and for me, the obvious place to play him is on the left, where he will do a better job than Benrahma or Fornals. No more messing about with Kudus on the right and Bowen central."

[dealcanvey]

We don't miss Rice nowhere near as much as I thought we would. Don't mean I would not have him back in a heartbeat. He is looking class for Arsenal.

[,]

"It’s looking very much to me like a move that is suiting both parties. He could have hung around, run down his contract and left for nothing. Instead we have received good money for him and it has enabled us to rejuvenate our midfield such that there is not an over reliance on one player. Stil rather than making a snap judgement let’s revisit this in the fullness of time."

[Nagel]

"We missed him for 1-2 years before he actually left. Well, not him obviously, but we missed having an anchor man DM when he/Moyes decided he should be a box to box midfielder instead, taking rubbish set pieces and getting forward whenever possible, rather than concentrating on shielding the defence."

[Nagel]

"We missed him for 1-2 years before he actually left. Well, not him obviously, but we missed having an anchor man DM when he/Moyes decided he should be a box to box midfielder instead, taking rubbish set pieces and getting forward whenever possible, rather than concentrating on shielding the defence."

[Come On You Irons]

"I would argue selling Rice for £100 million and getting in three quality players in JWP, Alvarez and Kuddus actually makes us stronger. The morale in the squad seems better too now that Rice and his massive ego and big head are no longer there."

[threesixty]

"Kudus, Alvarez and JWP.. 3 for 1 at Tesco's! Nope.. dont miss him. I'm just glad for the first time I can remember West Ham actually benefiting from selling a good player. I'm in shock really..."

[Vexed]

If winning stuff = got to last 16 of the CL then he's gonna love it at Arsenal. Otherwise I think he told some porky pies about his move. I hope his move is a massive failure.