Declan Rice cracks a smile on the Arsenal bench as he talks through his wondergoal against West Ham… after opting not to celebrate against his former club
- Declan Rice did not celebrate after Arsenal’s 6-0 win over West Ham
- Former Hammers captain smiled on the Gunners bench after coming on as a substitute
- Arsenal fans have gone from over-celebrating to over-reacting… their team MUST support Liverpool’s win – It all starts podcast
Declan Rice shared a laugh with teammates on the Arsenal bench as Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed West Ham.
William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard were all on the scoresheet before half-time at the London Stadium, with supporters leaving en masse at the break.
Saka then added a second after the restart before Rice completed the rout with an explosive finish from outside the penalty area to add insult to injury for the hapless Hammers.
As he drove away, the England international opted not to celebrate. Shortly afterwards he was replaced by Mohamed Elneny, with a result that was beyond doubt.
Although he didn’t express his excitement on the pitch, Rice couldn’t help but smile on the bench as he guided Saka and Ben White through his goal.
Declan Rice scored a screamer in Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday
But despite a hostile reception at his old club, the midfielder decided not to celebrate his goal
After boosting their title ambitions with such a decisive victory, Arsenal fans took to social media to share their reactions to the incident.
One wrote: ‘Declan Rice on the bench laughed at West Ham, they clapped him off.’
Another said: ‘Rice is cracking the couch. I know their fans are fuming.”
Another supporter commented: ‘PLS THE WAY MY COMMENTATOR 3EEB 3ALYK YA DECLAN RICE WENT AFTER SHE LAUGHED HIM ON THE COUCH.’
Another wrote: “Rice acted sad after making a fool of himself on the couch DJSJSJSJ.”
Arsenal fans on social media enjoyed seeing the former Hammers captain laughing with his teammates on the bench
Although he chose not to celebrate his goal, Rice was not exempt from a hostile reception upon his return to the home of his former club.
Every time the 25-year-old touched the ball prior to his substitution, there was a chorus of bosses around the stadium.
Gunners fan Piers Morgan commented on Rice’s reception during the match, calling the West Ham fans who booed their former captain ‘classless’.
