11 February 2024 , 10:31
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Declan Rice is deserving of a standing ovation when he returns to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, claims Danny Murphy.
The midfielder will head back to the London Stadium as a visiting player when Arsenal make the trip across London. Rice left the Hammers after several years in the summer, making a £100million switch to the Emirates after helping West Ham claim silverware in his final outing.
Despite doing so, sections of the crowd were hostile towards Rice when he returned to West Ham earlier this season for a Carabao Cup game. Arsenal were beaten on that occasion but will be looking to right that wrong with Murphy hoping the England international gets the respect he deserves.
He wrote in the Daily Mail : "The 25-year-old returns today to London Stadium, where he was booed by a section of West Ham fans in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. It saddened rather than surprised me.
"There is a minority who judge him solely on joining another London club rather than the years of service he gave West Ham, including lifting a European trophy. If anyone deserves a standing ovation going to his former club, it’s Declan Rice and you will hear appreciation towards him from many West Ham fans."
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Rice had a forgettable reunion with his former club back to in December as the Hammers secured a surprise win in north London. In the final play of the game the former West Ham midfielder gave away a penalty, only for it to be missed, leaving the score at 2-0.
Largely though Arsenal's summer signing has been a commanding presence in the middle of the park showing, as many expected, that he could step up and play for a leading outfit. Rice has come up with big moments early in his Gunners career.
Declan Rice played at the London Stadium for Arsenal in this season's Carabao CupMurphy added: "He has adapted his game. He was able to focus on his defensive work at West Ham whereas Arsenal dominate possession so he needs to show ability on the ball and make productive passes. He has done all of that and popped up with the occasional important goal, too. The ease with which he has made the transition has surprised even me, despite having no doubts about his mentality."
Arsenal will be looking to build on last weekend's win over Liverpool, which hauled them back into the title race. The Reds and Manchester City both won on Saturday leaving the Gunners to respond.
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