Why does Declan Rice wear the number 41? New Arsenal star reveals ‘superstitious’ reason he keeps high digits after West Ham transfer

Declan Rice has not forgotten his roots as he completes his move from West Ham to Arsenal in a club-record £105million deal.

Rice has headed across London to join the Gunners but he has made sure to take the shirt number that he made famous at the Irons.

Arsenal have already confirmed that the 24-year-old midfielder will continue to wear the No.41 shirt despite others being available.

Rice dons the number four jersey when he plays for England but Three Lions teammate Ben White occupies that at the Emirates.

However, Rice has continued to wear the same number at club level that he has since he first broke through West Ham’s academy.

Why does Declan Rice wear number 41?

Rice has revealed there is no special reason behind why he wears the No.41 – it just happened to be what he was given as a teenager.

However, Rice went on to admit that he now wouldn’t change due to being superstitious around his form.

In an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said: “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman.

“When you are in the Under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first-team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since.

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“And to be honest with you – I have been having these conversations with my dad – regardless of what happens in my career I may stay with 41.

“I just think Rice 41 has a nice ring to it and obviously I have grown up playing in it and I am a bit superstitious with things like that.

“I don’t know if I change to a new number if it will hamper my performances, I don’t know!

“Sometimes I think about things like that.”