A big money Arsenal summer signing loved a Declan Rice replacement’s social media post after his West Ham debut.
It is fair to say there is no love lost between Arsenal and West Ham nowadays following the north London club’s acquisition of Declan Rice.
Traditionally there has never really been a great rivalry between West Ham and Arsenal. Undoubtedly helped by a mutual dislike of Spurs.
And West Ham’s players have rarely moved from the Hammers to the Gunners down the years.
So Rice’s decision to swap the London Stadium for the Emirates has lit a small fire under this particular rivalry – for now at least.
There was some love between players of the two clubs yesterday, though.
Deus ex machina on debut el machin
Arsenal fans and players had a watching brief of the Premier League action over the weekend as they prepare to play Crystal Palace on Monday night.
And the big game on Sunday saw life after Dec continue for West Ham as they welcomed another London rival – Chelsea – for their first home game of the season – and since lifting the Europa Conference League trophy.
While Arsenal spent big to get their summer transfer window business done nice and early, West Ham have had to be more patient with their signings.
Rice’s replacement Edson Alvarez arrived from Ajax in a £34m deal followed by James Ward-Prowse at £30m.
The pair made their West Ham bows against Chelsea.
Four goals, a Chelsea penalty saved, a penalty scored, a man sent off and a memorable 3-1 win for the Hammers ensued.
Carlsberg don’t do West Ham debuts but if they did…
Big money Arsenal summer signing loves Declan Rice replacement’s social media post after West Ham debut
Ward-Prowse registered two assists in his first game while Alvarez looked absolutely mustard when he came on for the last 15 minutes or so to shore up the victory.
The Mexican was gliding across the turf and getting stuck in, winning some important duels to see out the win against the club who tried to sign him last summer.
Sky Sports showed the stats comparison between Alvarez and Rice from last season in which the Hammers man comes out on top. Just as West Ham did against Chelsea.
Alvarez took to social media after the game to celebrate his first game.
And a big money Arsenal summer signing loved the Rice replacement’s social media post after his West Ham debut.
Gunners star shares the love for new Hammer
“Premier league debut plus a massive win plus an unbelievable atmosphere,” Alvarez said on Instagram alongside a picture of him coming on for his Hammers bow.
“What a way to start. COYI.”
The Gunners’ £34.3m full-back Jurrien Timber – who was a teammate of Alvarez at Ajax before the pair moved to London this summer – responded with a love heart.
Fair play to Timber for sharing the love with his former teammate. And we wish the Arsenal new boy well in his recovering from his sad injury.
Hammers News recently highlighted how Alvarez is statistically better than Rice in five key areas. Although it must be remembered Rice has been doing it in the vastly superior Premier League.
The Mexican looked top drawer in his short cameo, though, it has to be said.
He and Ward-Prowse will soon be joined at West Ham by former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The Greek centre-back will be unveiled imminently after West Ham agreed a £21m all-in deal with Stuttgart for a player Arsenal signed five years ago aged 20.
The Gunners will get around £1.65m as part of the deal having included a 10 per cent sell on clause in his £4.5m sale to Stuttgart, which applies to the profit made by the German club.