Footage from West Ham away games may give a clue to the kind of reception Declan Rice will get on his return with Arsenal but is it right?
West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.
And that means the return of former West Ham captain Declan Rice for the first time since his £105m summer move to the Gunners.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta today confirmed Rice is in the mix to face his old club.
Arteta says Rice always talks highly of West Ham and is ready for a ‘beautiful moment’ as he hopes for a warm reception from his old supporters.
But there is some uncertainty over the kind of welcome he will get from West Ham fans.
Footage from West Ham away games may give a clue to the kind of reception Declan Rice will get on return with Arsenal but is it right?
Footage from West Ham away games may give a clue to the kind of reception Rice will get on his return with Arsenal but is it right?
When West Ham went 3-0 up at Brighton back in August, travelling Hammers fans chanted ‘Are you watching Declan Rice’.
Indeed chanting from West Ham supporters during games also suggests the reception will be – at best – mixed.
A small minority of West Ham supporters have labelled Rice a “snake” for joining London rivals Arsenal. And footage on social media this season have showed some West Ham away fans booing Rice when he appeared on televisions in the concourse during an Arsenal match.
The midfielder turned down the biggest contract in West Ham history and rejected a move to Man City because he ‘only had eyes for Arsenal’ during the summer.
Some West Ham fans feel the move to a rival – albeit far from a traditional or fierce one – has tarnished Rice’s legacy.
Fans have right to react as they feel but Rice is no Lampard
Comments from the midfielder since joining the Gunners have also irked some West Ham supporters.
Club ambassador and youth coach Carlton Cole has been critical of Rice for his comments since the move.
But Rice has also gushed about West Ham and the club’s fans in several interviews since, including before a big England game in September.
He also left West Ham having helped the club lift their first trophy for 43 years.
The big question for Hammers fans is – what’s the right thing to do?
Supporters are misunderstood over their treatment of Frank Lampard – which has become something of a perpetuated myth down the years.
Reception doesn’t have to be gushing but mature and dignified approach will reflect well on West Ham
But Hammers fans are at serious risk of making themselves look silly if they jeer the former skipper.
Even if Rice has upset supporters with his decision to leave for Arsenal, he always carried himself with class and dignity and gave the club many great memories.
West Ham fans have been raving about the club’s summer business. And they feel we look a better side because of it. So let’s not forget those signings were only possible because Rice’s sale raised £105m.
Let’s handle this with maturity and dignity and give Rice the welcome he deserves.
It doesn’t have to be gushing or over the top, but booing will only reflect badly on West Ham.
I suspect the reception will be mixed at the London Stadium but anticipate applause will drown out any boos that may greet the ex Hammers hero.
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