There is something about Declan Rice when he plays against West Ham and it has not gone unnoticed by Arsenal fans.
After winning rave reviews in his debut season with Arsenal following his £105m move from West Ham, the honeymoon is over for Declan Rice this term.
Rice has always showed class towards the Hammers in multiple ways since leaving for the Gunners.
Both in his words and actions.
He’s made it perfectly clear he will always love West Ham.
But after turning down Man City and declaring he wanted to join Arsenal to win the top trophies in football, it has tainted his reputation among some Hammers who used to adore him.
Rice is yet to win a major trophy with the north Londoners.
It looks like West Ham have once again ensured that will be the case for another season following a 1-0 win at the Emirates on Saturday.
By his own high standards, Rice has struggled this season.
Rice was given a cruel nickname by some Gunners fans earlier this season.
Niggling injuries have meant he has played in pain for spells.
But there is something about Rice when he plays against West Ham and it has not gone unnoticed by Mikel Arteta or Arsenal supporters.
Video shows Rice fuming after sub vs West Ham
Rice has previously admitted he finds it strange playing against his old club.
It has showed as Rice has put in uncharacteristically poor displays on all but one of the five occasions he has faced West Ham since leaving.
His performance in West Ham’s 1-0 victory was arguably his worst. Possibly of the season not just against the Hammers.
Now video shows Rice fuming after his sub vs West Ham as Arsenal Fan TV hang him out to dry.
Rice lost close pal Jarrod Bowen for the all-important winner.
It came moments after he panicked and picked the wrong pass when in a good position to create a goal.
Rice was off his game all over the pitch.
And he was hooked by Arteta on 56 minutes for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
It was humiliating for Rice as he was goaded and jeered by West Ham’s travelling fans.
Now video has been shared by Gunners fans of Rice’s angry reaction to being subbed.
Arsenal Fan TV hang Rice out to dry after Hammers no-show
Rice is seen looking visibly irritated as he takes his boots off and throws them on the floor.
Sharing the video shot by an Arsenal fan, AFC Newsroom said: “Declan Rice shook his head after being hooked early against his former club. He was not pleased.”
Rice was also the target of criticism by Arsenal Fan TV after the game.
The hugely popular YouTube channel took to social media to post a picture of Rice asking: “What did you make of Declan Rice’s performance?”
It was overlaid by a comment from a Gunners fan saying: “Declan Rice loses his man and poor, poor decisions. He’s still playing for West Ham.”
Rice made his bed and must lay in it
Some Arsenal fans are turning on Rice in a way that would never have happened at West Ham.
The love for the midfielder was unconditional in east London, where he graduated from the Academy.
Hammers supporters certainly enjoyed the victory.
There was sweet revenge as West Ham fans taunted Arsenal and Rice with three ruthless chants.
Rice sacrificed the unconditional love of the club who helped make him the player he is.
He undoubtedly gave up legendary status at West Ham.
There’s an old saying: “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it”.
Rice must now suffer these self-inflicted hard times at with Arsenal.
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