Declan Rice scored two world-class free-kicks for Arsenal vs Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
And any West Ham fans watching the Arsenal vs Real Madrid game would have noticed something very interesting about what Declan Rice did after scoring his second-goal of the night.
Declan Rice left West Ham to join Arsenal in a £105 million deal in the summer of 2023, just six weeks after captaining the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory.
It has been claimed that the West Ham dressing has become very quiet since Rice’s exit, and the Hammers have certainly missed him.
The 26-year-old has been brilliant for the Gunners on the whole, and he is a vital player in Mikel Arteta’s system at the Emirates.
Rice is an exceptional defensive midfielder, but he excels when making lung-bursting runs from one end of the pitch to the other as well.
One criticism of the Arsenal in relation to his price-tag is that he doesn’t make a difference enough in big games.
Well, that notion has well and truly been smashed to pieces now hasn’t it.
What Declan Rice did after free-kicks for Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Rice’s two free-kicks against Real Madrid at The Emirates on Tuesday were absolutely ridiculous.
It’s fair to argue that either one of them could be considered as the best free-kick of all-time.
Rice finally laid down a marker and sent a message to the world that he belongs in the elite tier of players with his display against the 15-time Champions League winners.
The Arsenal fans were singing Rice’s name long into the night in north London.
However, any West Ham fans who watched the England international’s two goals would have noticed something very interesting about the second one.
As Rice smashed his second free-kick of the night past Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, he ran over to celebrate with the Gunners fans.
However, only West Ham fans would have recognised the celebration that he opted for.
Declan Rice emulates Pablo Fornals after free-kick masterclass
The Hammers fans watching the Arsenal vs Real Madrid Champions League clash would have been very familiar with what the midfield powerhouse did after scoring his second goal.
Back in May 2023, West Ham beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 away from home in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.
Pablo Fornals scored the winner for the Hammers, before going over to celebrate with the travelling away fans.
The Spaniard leaped up on top of the advertising boards whilst raising his hands in the air.
Declan Rice chose to celebrate in exactly the same way after scoring his second worldie of the night for Arsenal vs Real Madrid.
Many West Ham fans won’t admit it, but it must have made them very proud watching Rice in action on the continent’s biggest stage on Tuesday night.
He announced himself as a world-class player for Arsenal against Madrid. Those two free-kicks he scored proved that he has the game-changing capabilities needed to win big games for the Gunners.
And that’s why they paid £105 million for him.
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