WATCH: ‘Humble’ Declan Rice scores a stunner against his ex-team West Ham but refuses to celebrate as a mark of respect

Declan Rice shone, assisting twice and scoring, advancing the Gunners to a 6-0 lead.

WATCH: ‘Humble’ Declan Rice scores a stunner against his ex-team West Ham but refuses to celebrate as a mark of respect

Declan Rice leaves Bukayo Saka stunned after a stunning goal (Image via Arsenal)

Declan Rice left West Ham in the summer of 2023 to join local rivals Arsenal. The Gunners paid £100 million, with £5 million add-ons. The price tag was worth it for the North London club, as he has been essential for their midfield.

Ever since he departed from the Hammers, he has faced them twice and lost twice. On his third match against his former club, he gave one of his best performances of the season, as he assisted twice and scored an absolute stunner as Arsenal won 6-0. 

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His first assist came for the opener of the match, as William Saliba scored off his corner kick. He once again assisted in another set-piece, as a free-kick got Gabriel Maghalaes a header. But the highlight of his performance came in the 2nd half when he scored a beautiful goal. 

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Just two minutes after Bukayo Saka scored his brace, bringing the score to 5-0, Arsenal set off on another attack. Ben White received the ball at the edge of the box in the right wing and passed it in the middle. Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard both went for the ball but backed out due to none of them calling for it. 

The ball rolled on and Rice decided to take a shot on his first touch. The ball whirred past Alphonso Areola, hitting the top corner. All of his teammates held their hands over their heads watching the magnificent goal, but Rice didn’t celebrate. He held his hands up, refusing to celebrate the goal against his former club, while he was surrounded by his teammates. 

David Moyes expected Declan Rice to score 

David Moyes spoke to beIN Sport after the hammering, where he admitted how Declan Rice was going to end up scoring in that match with the way it was going. He also thanked the fans for being nice to him during the game, noting how they were applauding him every time he went up to take a corner. 

Declan Rice David Moyes
Declan Rice broke into the West Ham team when David Moyes was manager (Image via West Ham)

Later talking to Sky Sports, he admitted there was a problem in the club, which he promised to fix. Moyes understood the frustrations of the fans who left at half-time, calling it a day which should not happen. 

Moyes and West Ham have failed to win a single match in 2024. They have managed only three draws in their last five league games, while also getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Bristol City. West Ham’s next match is against Nottingham Forest on the 17th of February. They currently lie 8th on the table but have qualified for the Round of 16 in the Europa League. 

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