Declan Rice got a wake-up call as the £105m man was criticised in his first start for Arsenal after his West Ham exit.
Declan Rice got a taste of what life after West Ham will be like on his first start for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly defeat to Man United.
There was a time when pre-season matches barely warranted a mention. Their only value was fitness.
But now performances and even results to a degree matter with the eyes of the world on every kick – especially when Arsenal took on Man United in the US.
West Ham were in action against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday. The Hammers got an idea what life might be like after Declan Rice – with no replacements imminent – in a game that ended 2-2.
Meanwhile Rice will quickly be seeing the impact of his British record move from West Ham to Arsenal and the increased focus it brings on every aspect of his performance.
It perhaps sums up modern football that player ratings are now being published for pre-season games.
But they are and many West Ham fans will no doubt be interested to see their warnings to Rice already ringing true.
Hammers supporters told Rice not to expect the level of love, unconditional support and appreciation at Arsenal that he enjoyed at West Ham.
And while his quality is undoubted and he will almost certainly establish himself as one of Arsenal’s key players, things did not quite go to plan for the ex West Ham skipper overnight.
Rice got a wake-up call as the £105m man was criticised in first start for Arsenal after leaving West Ham.
Some Gunners fans were critical of Rice’s performance in the 2-0 loss to the Red Devils when taking to social media.
So too were reports from the match.
The Evening Standard gave Rice a 6/10 rating, saying: “Left exposed in transition at times as the midfield three with Odegaard and Havertz didn’t really work. Helped out his defence when chasing back after balls over the top, but a quiet first Arsenal start.”
Arsenal fan site Pain in the Arsenal were even less impressed, giving the former Hammers talisman an unprecedented 4.5/10.
“Wasn’t the easiest of assignments for Rice as he saw plenty of Fernandes and the United skipper gave him the runaround in the first 45 minutes. This certainly wasn’t the best of the £105m man.”
All Football.London had to say about his performance was: “Came off too early in the second half to get a rating.”
And Now Arsenal gave Rice a 6/10 rating, saying: “A difficult first-half playing the defensive midfield role alone with two number 10’s in front of him. It didn’t really work. He needed more support and players closer to him.”
It will clearly take time for Rice to settle into a new team dynamic at Arsenal.
But he will soon realise he is now well out of the comfort zone provided by West Ham.
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