West Ham fans were left in stitches as Declan Rice marks Arsenal Premier League debut with a hilarious gaffe. Rice completed his £105million move from the Hammers to Arsenal last month.
Hilarious Blunder
The former West Ham midfielder, now playing for Arsenal, was the subject of amusement from fans as he failed to control the ball during the game against Nottingham Forest.
Promising Start for Arsenal
Arsenal had a successful start to their season as they secured a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest. Bukayo Saka scored a stunning first-half goal, adding to Eddie Nketiah's opener. Rice was effective in midfield and came close to scoring for his new team.
Rice's Funny Moment
However, amidst his solid performance, Rice had a comical moment that was spotted by West Ham fans. As he attempted to control the ball behind the Forest goal, he slipped and fell backward, much to the amusement of onlookers.
Fans React
West Ham fans couldn't resist poking fun at their former captain, with one fan calling him a "100m flop!" and another predicting that he would be the "biggest flop of the season". Despite the banter, many fans found the moment too funny to be upset about.
Rice's Move to Arsenal
Rice, a 24-year-old England midfielder, left his boyhood club West Ham to join Mikel Arteta's side this summer. West Ham received a staggering £100m from the transfer, which could increase to £105m with additional bonuses by 2025. The long-awaited move had caused frustration among West Ham fans, who were already disappointed with their team's lack of signings after Rice's departure.
Near Miss
Although Rice's funny slip-up attracted attention, he came close to making a significant impact on the game. His 20-yard strike was saved by Turner, with the ball hitting the post. Despite the slight blunder, Rice showcased his skills on the field.
Game Delay
The match had a delayed start of 30 minutes due to an e-ticketing system issue, which meant that the majority of fans were still outside the Emirates stadium at the scheduled kick-off time of 12:30 BST.
