Declan Rice may be starting to realise everything he sacrificed by leaving West Ham as he increasingly comes under fire from frustrated Arsenal fans.
When Declan Rice left West Ham for Arsenal he declared it was to compete for and win ‘the top trophies’.
Halfway through his second season in north London, though, leading the Hammers to European glory looks likely to remain his only major silverware.
Most Hammers fans would not try to argue Rice didn’t take a step up by leaving for the Gunners in that £105m deal last year.
A quick glance at the Premier League table tells you that right now.
When Rice chose the Gunners over Man City, though, it did not sit well with many West Ham fans.
West Ham supporters felt joining Man City – with whom they enjoy good relations – would guarantee that silverware he craved and would therefore be a logical next step.
Had it made that move he’d already have a Premier League winners medal. And my how they could do with him right now.
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While Arsenal and West Ham have never shared a particularly fierce rivalry, they are still London rivals nonetheless.
That’s been and gone now, though.
Rice has showed class towards the Hammers in multiple ways since leaving with both his words and actions.
He’s made it perfectly clear he will always love the Hammers.
But Arsenal scapegoat Rice has been given a cruel new nickname as his West Ham sacrifice becomes clear.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Declan Rice of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsen...
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Arsenal scapegoat Rice gets cruel new nickname
A couple of months ago it became clear the honeymoon was well and truly over for Rice at Arsenal as some fans started to turn on the midfielder.
Of course every fanbase, including West Ham’s, has a minority who are more fickle than the rest.
But Rice was the golden boy at West Ham and in many ways could do no wrong – mainly because he rarely ever did.
He quickly became a firm fan favourite at Arsenal too.
However, Rice is struggling for his best form this season and has become a target for some. Mikel Arteta has been criticised for trying to use him in different roles too.
With Man City wobbling, many Arsenal fans are furious their side are not taking advantage to land a first title in 21 years, with Liverpool and Chelsea taking up the challenge instead.
Stinging criticism from sections of the Arsenal support continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton, potentially putting them nine points behind leaders Liverpool if they win their game in hand.
Rice was hooked on the hour mark and has been subjected to more harsh criticism from many Gunners fans on social media and fan sites.
The Sun and a number of other outlets gave him a 5/10 rating for his performance, stating: “A rare anonymous showing from the England international. Did not do enough to impose himself but for a few decent tackles. No shock to see him hooked after 62 minutes.”
Popular Gunners fan site Arseblog gave him 5.5/10, saying: “He got too close to his centre-halves, which meant we played too many two-yard passes that got us nowhere.”
Arteta has since claimed Rice was feeling an injury which prompted the change.
But he also subbed off Martin Odegaard at the same time in what many believe was a message to his players to up the level and that nobody is untouchable.
Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates St...
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Rice criticism continues as West Ham sacrifice becomes clear
Well known Arsenal YouTuber Lee Gunner has given Rice a new nickname – ‘Decline Rice’ – a nod to claims from some of the club’s supporters that he has regressed this season.
He also said Rice ‘dropped a world class stinker’ against Everton.
He was not the only influential Arsenal fan account to criticise Rice either. One search of his name on social media will show you that.
Rice’s ability on the ball, particularly in passing forward, was questioned by many once again.
Some also accused him of taking too many touches and questioned his valuation.
To their credit, many Arsenal fans defended Rice.
But it just goes to highlight once more what he gave up leaving West Ham for north London.
Rice sacrificed the unconditional love of the club who helped make him the player he is.
He gave up legendary status at West Ham and no less than £85m in guaranteed wages as the highest paid player in Hammers history.
All to become an Arsenal scapegoat with no guarantee of the silverware he craves.
Ironically Rice was widely expected to join boyhood club Chelsea if and when he did eventually leave West Ham.
It is now looking like he may have had more chance of trophies if he’d gone there instead.
Although few Blues fans would swap him for Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia.
While it may be a minority who are turning on Rice when things don’t go to plan, those who still have great affection for him at West Ham will find it sad to see.
Others will be saying ‘We told you so’.
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