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Declan Rice returns to the London Stadium for the first time since he refused to celebrate his wonder strike against West Ham last season. His screamer was the last goal of a 6-0 thumping the Gunners dished out to David Moyes’ side. Out of respect for his former club, he did not celebrate after his thunderous strike hit the back of the net. During the 2023 summer window Arsenal signed Rice for £105m after his UEFA Conference League winning campaign with the Hammers. Despite the huge fee received by the club and a European trophy Rice captained the club to, the fans booed him during last season’s matches.   In an interview with ESPN earlier this year Rice said: “It was so tough. We lost in the cup to them. We lost in the league at the Emirates; I didn't play well and gave away a penalty. “The West Ham fans bantered me and I can 100 per cent take that; I played for West Ham for 10 years and I know how they work.   “When I went over to take the corner, there were a few boos, but there were claps as well. I know my love for them has never changed; their love for me has never changed. It is one of those things where you move on. Obviously I scored a great goal, it was really odd. " He continued: “Even speaking about it now, it is weird. A lot of the lads asked me afterwards, 'How does it feel? ' It was a bittersweet feeling, really odd. “I always said I would never celebrate against West Ham and I don't think I ever will. They made me who I am. I spent 10 years there; I owe them a lot. “I would never ever celebrate; I think that would be really disrespectful. Overall, [it was] a really good day to win and to score, but a bittersweet feeling. ” Rice quickly became an integral cog in Mikel Arteta’s system as they pushed for a title against Manchester City. Either as a six marauding across the pitch to protect the back four or as an eight contributing to seven goals that season, he was one Arsenal’s best players. To the surprise of most Gooners he became a corner taker, helping Arsenal to become the most deadly Premier League side from set-pieces. He rose to the occasion when the Gunners needed someone to go above and beyond, scoring a stoppage time goal to put Arsenal 2-1 up against Manchester United and a last minute winner against Luton Town.   “To score that and watch the goal back, you can't help but smile, " he said of his goal against Man United in September 2023. “Probably my best moment so far. My role has completely changed to what I was doing at West Ham and it has taken time to adapt, to improve, to ask questions, and I am really just trying to buy into it.   “I was bought for a lot of money, I want to ask questions and improve, and I want to win stuff with this club. ” Fast forward to Arsenal’s trophy hunt this season, not everything has gone to plan for the Englishman. He was given a controversial red card against Brighton & Hove Albion for delaying the restart after lightly flicking away the ball. The No. 41 then fractured his toe during a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United which led to three missed matches including a loss to Inter Milan. His return was a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, arguably Arsenal’s best display of the season so far.   Speaking to talk SPORT, former Arsenal player, Martin Keown voiced his support of Rice. He said: “He’s been a really important player. He’s a leader, a really good character, great guy and I think that’s just as important as being a great player for me. So he brings a lot with him, with his habits and behaviour. The way he is around the club and long may that continue. “If you look at Rodri now not being available for Man City, you could argue that singular player not being available has been catastrophic for them so when you’re putting the pieces in the jigsaw, every team that’s going to win anything is going to have a midfield player that is able to get up and down and he is that for Arsenal. ” Arsenal are clinging on to the title rice as they currently sit fourth, nine points behind first place Liverpool. They face West Ham at the London Stadium at 5. 30pm on Saturday. © 2024 talk SPORT Limited

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