Declan Rice was involved in a heated exchange with Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg at half-time of their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.
The Gunners took a 1-0 lead into the break through Ben White’s header, but tempers flared in the Arsenal camp as players and the coaching staff made their way back to the dressing room.
Rice was clearly unhappy with what Stuivenberg had said, and the pair traded words in the tunnel, with Gabriel Magalhaes stepping in between them in an attempt to calm things down. Although Stuivenberg eventually left the scene, Rice was seen gesticulating angrily, shaking his head, and throwing his arms up in the air.
It was unclear what was said during the fiery exchange, but expert lip-reader Jeremy Freeman has revealed to the _[Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15467341/He-doesnt-know-hell-hes-Expert-lip-reader-reveals-Declan-Rice-said-Arsenal-coach-AirPod-Albert-hidden-tunnel-row-Gabriel-tried-step-in.html)_ what was said in the clip. He claimed Rice started the exchange by saying ‘just go,’ and Magalhaes stepped in and told Stuivenberg, ‘Stop, please stop, please stop.’
Rice then blurted, ‘Oh for f\*\*\*'s sake,’ at which point Gabriel asked him to be calm. An enraged Rice went on to say, ‘He doesn’t know what the hell he is on about,’ but Magalhaes continually kept telling the midfielder to stay calm.
Below is a video of the same:
The pair, however, did hug each other after Rice was substituted for Kai Havertz in the second half. In the end, the Gunners had something to be happy about as they secured a 3-2 win against their London rivals, taking one foot into the final.
Rice has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season with his game intelligence and his all-around contributions. So far, he has registered 12 goal contributions in 29 appearances across all competitions.
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Edited by Ezekiel Olamide