Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice can “100%” withstand the potential exclamations after receiving mixed reactions on his return to West Ham.
Rice was the target of some chants during Arsenal’s away game at the London Stadium on 11 February, as he was in the Carabao Cup match in November.
The England international was accurate in the Gunners’ 6-0 victory, but chose not to celebrate in front of his former fans.
Speaking to ESPN [1 March], Rice said of his latest comeback: “At that moment, he was on the pitch with the players: ‘We lost in the cup. In the league we lost at the Emirates; I didn’t play well and I gave a penalty.
“The West Ham fans stung me and I can accept that one hundred per cent; I played for West Ham for 10 years and I know how they work. When I went around the corner there were a few chants but they clapped for me as well.
“I know my love for them has never changed, their love for me has never changed. It’s one of those things when you move on.
“Obviously I scored a great goal, it was really unusual. Even when I talk about it now, it’s weird. A lot of guys asked me afterwards: ‘How do you feel?’ It was a bittersweet feeling, really strange.
“I always said I would never celebrate against West Ham, and I don’t think I will. They made me who I am. I spent ten years there, I owe them a lot.
“I would never celebrate; I think that would be very disrespectful. Overall, it was a really nice day to win and score, but it’s a bittersweet feeling.”
Declan Rice is impressing at Arsenal after his move to West Ham:
The vast majority of fans were either indifferent to Rice or applauded him. The problem is that it’s easier to detect the chants.
Rice, after all, is now playing for a London rival, and the visitors have every right to do what they want in terms of booing or booing the other player.
The fact that Rice did not celebrate his goal in the recent victory should mean that there will be even fewer chants the next time he returns to the London Stadium.
We do not want to go back to the way things were, but fans should be grateful for Rice’s long service, which culminated in Europa League Conference success last summer.
Rice left with time remaining on his contract, which meant that United gained over £100 million to strengthen the squad in other areas. It was money well spent.
With both returns this season, the midfielder’s departure was still fresh in the memory, but there will be a lot of water under the bridge before the next meeting.
Fans can continue to wish the best for West Ham, while wishing Rice all the best in his new adventure. The two are not mutually exclusive.