Arsenal’s Declan Rice reception police have been out in force but they are hypocrites of the highest order for criticising West Ham.
He came back, he saw but he didn’t conquer as Declan Rice suffered a night to forget on his return to West Ham with Arsenal.
The Hammers ran out 3-1 winners to dump the Gunners out of the Carabao Cup and rather ironically deny Rice a least one piece of the silverware he left them in order to chase.
The Rice reception police have been out in force and the match became something of a sideshow to the rather ridiculous “watch” to see how the midfielder would be welcomed back after defecting to Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice reception police are hypocrites of the highest order for criticising West Ham
It would probably best be described as mixed but anyone at the London Stadium would have seen respectful applause won the day over any jeers.
Rice was welcomed onto the pitch to mostly applause as a second half Arsenal substitute with West Ham fans then booing his every touch – in a customary fashion dating back years. It’s almost done in a light-hearted, pantomime manner. The initial return of former West Ham heroes such as Tony Cottee, Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and many more have been treated the same.
But some of the accounts and comments from the Gunners since the game are almost laughable.
Arsenal’s Rice reception police are hypocrites of the highest order for criticising West Ham.
Remember the warm welcome Arsenal fans gave their stars who left in search of bigger and better things? Me neither
Remember when Arsenal fans gave the likes of Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor and Ashley Cole lovely warm welcomes when they left their club for what they saw as moving on to bigger and better things?
No, me neither. Because they received dog’s abuse for joining Man United, Man City and Chelsea respectively.
Gunners fans need to think outside their bubble on this one. Each of those players left because they believed the move was the right thing for their careers, just as Rice has done in leaving West Ham for Arsenal.
With regards to Cole – which is still a sore subject for Arsenal fans – Chelsea at the time were the team on the rise under Jose Mourinho and paying big money to make their project an attractive proposition for players.
Just like Arsenal are a team on the rise now under Arteta.
Rice respect was clear for all to see but balance was just right given he defected to a London rival
It has been made out since that the move was solely motivated by money.
But look at what Cole went on to win with Chelsea and how Arsenal have fared until Arteta got hold of them.
Arsenal fans abused all of those players. As West Ham fans we don’t question their reasons or whether it was justified, that’s their business. So they need to mind their own when it comes to the West Ham side of matters regarding Rice.
Yes Rice did not leave under a cloud as some of those players did. But then West Ham’s welcome for him was a lot warmer by comparison so the balance was just right.
Short memories among some Gunners and a few mirrors needed
There is no escaping the fact many West Ham fans did not take kindly to Rice’s defection to north London.
West Ham and Arsenal have never been great rivals. And there is no doubting the Gunners are a massive club.
But there is a feeling among some Hammers supporters that Arsenal were not a big enough step up or a sure bet for the silverware he craves to risk jeopardising his West Ham legacy.
Rice applauded West Ham fans and all corners of his old ground when he left the pitch and supporters responded in kind.
That seemed fitting, respectful and reciprocal. So it makes you wonder why some Arsenal fans are so keen to criticise their Hammers counterparts.
Many of them must have short memories.
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