Declan Rice was front and centre of an unforgettable night for Arsenal as he scored two incredible free-kicks in the Gunners’ 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Micah Richards told Rice he was “world-class” and the popular pundit’s claim rang true during the contest as he ran the show — especially after dispatching a pair of strikers that legendary free-kick takers like Roberto Carlos and David Beckham would have been proud of themselves.
The Arsenal hero’s all-round display was an all-conquering one as he looked like the best midfielder on the same pitch as big-hitters such as Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga.
As West Ham United fans witnessed Declan Rice put Real Madrid to the sword in an Arsenal shirt, their responses from were a mixed bag as he set the Champions League alight.
West Ham fans left divided as Declan Rice stuns during Arsenal vs Real Madrid
A majority of West Ham fans were happy for Rice, with one claiming that his latest display for Arsenal against Real Madrid proved that he has always been at his best further up the pitch: “Thrilled for Declan Rice. Looked like he was going to be a centre back; West Ham developed him and Arsenal, throughout their scouting of him, one of their people said to me every time I saw him, ‘Declan – further up the pitch always!’ And there he is. Smashing lad. Good for him.”
Another Hammers supporters lauded their former midfielder, commenting: “Declan Rice (followed by a pair of ‘applause emojis’). Fair play. Made by West Ham.”
A third West Ham fan stated that Rice is only getting better and better since leaving the London Stadium and his heroics for Arsenal against Real Madrid were proof of his gradual improvement: “Declan Rice, sniff, sniff (a sign of being emotional). Soon, you lot will admit it. The guy gets better and better every year, he’s 10x the player he was at West Ham.”
A fourth Irons fan added: “Must say from a West Ham POV [point of view], it is incredibly strange watching Declan Rice against Real Madrid. Feel like a proud father.”
However, some West Ham fans made it clear that they have severed ties with Rice after Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final: “West Ham fans raving over Declan Rice tonight. Bloke’s a snake, hope Madrid make him cry in the second leg.”
Another fan wasn’t pleased with the 26-year-old’s comments after the contest: “Well, that’s any lovage any remaining West Ham fans will have for Rice gone after last night. Tapping the Arsenal badge and then saying it’s the best moment of his career so far…should remember his roots. Snakey.”
What Declan Rice said about West Ham after Gunners beat Real Madrid
It is hard to imagine that the Englishman will be too upset about any stick that comes his way, with Thierry Henry lauding Rice’s display against Real Madrid as the footballing world paid tribute to him.
Apart from Henry, another legend of the game in Alan Shearer heaped praise on Rice’s showing against Real Madrid and highlighted that apart from he impressed keeping aside his two free-kick goals.
What may delight Hammers fans is that Rice remembered his time at West Ham when he was advised to “shoot more”; a suggestion that he took and led Arsenal to a famous triumph against Real Madrid on a truly iconic Champions League night for Mikel Arteta and Co.
Rice said: “Even at West Ham and ever since I’ve been here everyone’s been telling me to shoot more. It’s these little things and you’ve got to be in that mindset to score goals.”
“I do have the ability to do it, but it’s a confidence thing.”
