Shocking behind the scenes video shows Arsenal need West Ham star Declan Rice more than they realise.
As fans know only too well the clock is ticking down on the moment Declan Rice leaves West Ham this summer.
A host of clubs have been linked with Arsenal now the apparent favourites after the Hammers skipper rejected the biggest contract in West Ham history.
The likes of The Mirror have claimed Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign West Ham’s beloved talisman.
And talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook says the 24-year-old Hammers midfielder is ‘excited’ at the prospect of linking up with the Gunners.
As sickening a prospect as it is for West Ham fans, most have long since made peace with the fact their skipper will depart in search of Champions League football and competing for top honours.
Whether Arsenal can do that consistently in the coming years is up for debate. But as Rice proved in Sunday’s pulsating 2-2 draw between the London rivals – he will certainly improve Mikel Arteta’s chances of doing just that.
It is clear Rice would be a major upgrade on the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey – who he bossed and forced off the pitch at the London Stadium.
But now shocking behind the scenes video shows Arsenal need West Ham star Rice more than they realise.
Not only for his class and leadership on the pitch but off it too.
Shocking behind the scenes video shows Arsenal need West Ham star Declan Rice more than they realise
Video has emerged – from Arsenal’s own media account no less – of the club’s players robotically ignoring an excited young Gunners mascot as they stop to sign a shirt.
Not one player in the video speaks to the little girl, looks her in the eye or even acknowledges her.
Most are wearing headphones and seem completely detached and aloof.
Arsenal’s players have been absolutely savaged – even by some of their own supporters – for their lack of basic human decency after the video went viral on social media.
Many have pointed out that the players go on to do meet and greets with their mascots separately.
So does that mean Arsenal’s league leading stars cannot even look the little girl in the eye, give her a smile or a nod or a pat on the head like a normal human being before that meet and greet?
At least the little girl has something about her, thanking each and every player as they sign the shirt.
Compare that to the way West Ham captain Rice carries himself and behaves with mascots and young fans for both the Hammers and England.
He is renowned for spending time chatting to the mascots, making them feel welcome and special.
West Ham regularly post behind the scenes footage from matches and it really shows just why Rice is a proper leader.
There is a famous story about legendary midfield captain Roy Keane during his time at Man United. He was once so offended by his teammates’ lack of decency in dealing with mascots and signing items for charity he went straight to Sir Alex Ferguson to fix it.
Rice is of the Keane mould.
Good manners cost nothing. They say money can’t buy class. But if Arsenal do pay the £100m plus West Ham will reluctantly accept for Rice this summer then they will be getting someone who oozes it, on and off the pitch.
And judging by this video, they sorely need it.
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