Declan Rice booed by West Ham fans as Arsenal star returns for Premier League clash

Declan Rice booed by West Ham fans as Arsenal star returns for Premier League clash

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Declan Rice returns to West Ham with Arsenal

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 11/02/2024

- 14:02

Updated: 11/02/2024

- 14:14

The England international moved between the two clubs back in the summer

Declan Rice has been booed by West Ham fans after returning to the club with Arsenal.

The England international has been named in Mikel Arteta's starting XI for Sunday's clash at the London Stadium as the Gunners look to continue their hunt for a first Premier League title since 2004.


Rice joined Arsenal for a huge £100million back in the summer transfer window.

That move came after he'd helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina back in June.

Declan Rice West Ham Arsenal

Declan Rice has been booed by West Ham fans during Arsenal Premier League clash

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However, despite playing a key role in that win, Rice has now been booed on his return to the London Stadium.

Jeers were heard before kick-off as Rice and his Arsenal players warmed up for the match in the capital.

And audible boos were heard the moment the match got underway, with fans still seemingly unhappy with the player for leaving.

Rice did return to the London Stadium earlier in the season but started that match on the bench before coming on.

West Ham won that match 3-1 to send the Gunners crashing out of the competition.

And the Hammers also beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium at the end of December as well.

Speaking before the match commenced, West Ham boss David Moyes implored fans to give Rice a good reception.

That's advice they have seemingly ignored.

Moyes had said: “He should be welcomed incredibly well.

“He was a great player for us, we all miss him. He’s a great boy, a top professional and we certainly miss him so I would hope he’d be welcomed.

“But obviously I’ve got a support who want us to win. And a manager who hopes Declan doesn’t play well – or doesn’t play.”

West Ham recently signed Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City.

And former Hammers star Kevin Nolan, who still works at the club as Moyes' No 2, has revealed Rice sent a message to him about Phillips once the midfielder's move to the London Stadium was done.

“I didn’t know him (Phillips) before he got here,” Nolan said on talkSPORT.

“But obviously heard real good things about him from Dec, obviously me being close with Dec and working well with him for a few years.

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Declan Rice West Ham Arsenal

Declan Rice was booed before kick off as West Ham host Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League clash

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“He’s text me a couple of times saying ‘Look after Kalv, he’s a great lad, you’ll enjoy working with him’.

"And I have, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first week or so, two weeks and we’ve just got to give him time.”

Some West Ham fans did, to their credit, applaud Rice when he went to take an early corner.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Moyes in his pre-match press conference.

The Scot has been criticised at times this season.

Declan Rice Arsenal West Ham

Declan Rice moved from West Ham to Arsenal back in the summer transfer window

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But Arteta, who played under Moyes at Everton, has now defended his old boss.

"He’s a really experienced manager who’s extremely good at getting the best out of his team," he said.

"He does it in various ways. He’s extremely good at managing the group, he’s a really competitive manager who understands when you get an edge in the game and wait for the moments in the game to punish you.

"His trajectory and what he’s done at West Ham is incredible."

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