The relationship between Declan Rice and West Ham fans was strained after their last encounter but his new post on social media after Arsenal’s win is healing wounds.
There will always be a faction of Hammers supporters who won’t forgive Declan Rice for pushing to leave West Ham for London rivals Arsenal.
That is the price on the ticket when you make those kinds of decisions as a player – but especially one as beloved as Rice was at West Ham.
Even though the Hammers and Arsenal have never shared a particularly fierce rivalry, the switch still stung in east London.
Rice declared he was leaving to compete for, and win, the top trophies in the game.
Rice looks on course to win first trophy since West Ham
Many West Ham fans were puzzled why he would then choose the Gunners over Man City and Bayern Munich given Arsenal are no guarantee of silverware.
That has proved the case with Rice’s last major trophy being with West Ham before he left in the £105m move to the Emirates.
Rice burned his bridges with some West Ham fans the day he pushed to join Arsenal.
But, on the whole, the majority of supporters made peace with the move and still hold Rice in high regard for what he did with the Hammers.
That has been on display since the switch, with Rice applauding Hammers fans and being clapped back after the usual pantomime banter during the game.
There have been messages of love from Rice about West Ham on social media and in interviews.
The England midfielder has donated towards care for a cancer stricken West Ham Academy player and been full of praise for his former club and the likes of Jarrod Bowen.
Rice has also refused to celebrate goals against West Ham for the Gunners.
Things changed slightly when West Ham lost 2-0 to Arsenal before the October international break, though.
After the usual panto jeering from the travelling Hammers fans, Rice very deliberately stared them out when he scored his goal.
Rice then appeared to goad West Ham fans on social media after that Arsenal win.
Wounds healed as fans react to what Rice posted about West Ham
But they say once a Hammer, always a Hammer – and that looks to be the case.
Wounds are healed for many as West Ham fans love what Rice posted after Arsenal’s Champions League win.
Supporters have flooded social media with positive comments, suggesting Rice has rebuilt bridges with some Hammers supporters overnight.
Rice looks on course to finally win the major trophies he left West Ham for with Arsenal this season.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League and hot favourites to win the title.
Rice ‘forever grateful’ after return to scene of Hammers triumph
Mikel Arteta’s side are also second in the Champions League table after a perfect start of four wins from four following a 3-0 win away at Slavia Prague.
That saw Rice return to the Fortuna Arena, the scene of his last major trophy win with West Ham.
On the one-year anniversary of West Ham’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final last year, Rice posted a heartfelt message to the Hammers.
When he returned to the stadium which saw West Ham’s 43-year wait for silverware come to an end, Rice couldn’t help but share his love for his old club again.
After Arsenal’s comfortable victory, Rice posted a picture of the stand that end that was sent into delirium when Jarrod Bowen scored that last minute winner on June 7th 2023.
“This exact end and stadium,” Rice said with a heart emoji.
“The best memories here.
“Forever grateful.”
‘They could never make me hate Declan Rice’
It is fair to say the post has been very well received by Hammers fans.
One stated ‘they will never make me hate him’ while another admitted being brought close to tears by the post.
Gospel rap star and West Ham fan Guvna B shared Rice’s post, saying: “They could never make me hate him.”
West Ham Geezer responded saying: “Top man Dec.”
Another West Ham fan, David Scott, agreed saying: “Never! What a great lad he is and what a player.”
Hammers fan Anna Caswell-Thorp said the post shows Rice’s true class: “He just oozes class. Still loves the club and that is special.”
Big Hammers X account West Ham Transfers said: “Be right back, just off to cry.”
West Ham fan Martyn Hobbs shared the post too, saying: “Dec on Instagram – great memories captain.”
Another Hammers account with a large following, West Ham Central, added: “He actually loves us and wants to come back don’t he, shame we’re shocking.”
A Hammers fan responded to that, saying he does think Rice will return to the London Stadium one day, saying: “Jokes aside, I do think when he’s like 31-32 he will come back.”
Hammers fan Henry Raine is also convinced that will be the case, adding: “He will come home before his career is out.”
It is fair to say Rice has won back a few West Ham fans with his post.
You can take the man out of West Ham but you can’t take the West Ham out of the man.
