Now Arsenal aren't celebrating ENOUGH: Gunners legend brands muted Declan Rice reaction as 'strange'

By published

Arsenal have been criticised for over-celebrating this season – now one former player has suggested Declan Rice didn't make enough of his West Ham weekend worldie

Arsenal star Declan Rice
(Image credit: Getty Images)

First Arsenal were criticised for over-celebrating against Liverpool. Now, one former player says the Gunners aren't celebrating quite enough…

Mikel Arteta's side hit West Ham United for six at the weekend, avenging two Irons victories in a row against his side to put down a marker in the title race. Bukayo Saka grabbed a brace, Martin Odegaard stole the show in midfield and 16-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri appeared from the bench in a hugely satisfying weekend for Gooners. 

But it was Declan Rice's stunner against the side he left in the summer that confused former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman. The England midfielder chose not to celebrate in respect for his former side – but Seaman thinks he should have, noting the stick that West Ham fans have given him this campaign.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman in action with oversized gloves during an Adidas coaching session circa 1993.

Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman didn't think Rice celebrated his goal enough (Image credit: Anton Want/Allsport/Getty Images)

“What a goal it was not to celebrate!” Seaman said on his podcast Seaman Says, sponsored by Parimatch. “To see him not celebrate was strange for me, because it was just such a good goal and the icing on the cake on an incredible day for him and the club. 

“It was a brilliant performance from Arsenal. I actually did an Arsenal VIP tour on the day and as I was going around as the first half had just started, so everybody had got it on their phone. Every table that I went to, all the fans that had come were all saying, ‘it's one nil, oh, it's two, it's three, it’s four.’ It was great! 

“I was so happy for Declan because he was getting a lot of stick from West Ham fans. He got a lot of stick at the Emirates recently when they beat Arsenal, so I was so happy for him for turning it around on Sunday.”

Declan Rice in action for Arsenal against his former club West Ham at the London Stadium in February 2024.

Declan Rice was booed by Hammers fans on his return to the London Stadium (Image credit: Getty Images)

It was Jamie Carragher's comments on Sky Sports about the Gunners over-celebrating after beating his former side Liverpool that first riled the north Londoners' fanbase, after Martin Odegaard took photos with club photographer Stuart MacFarlane in the aftermath of the victory. 

Don't worry, Arsenal fans. It's clear that Safe Hands is on your side with this one…

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal have announced a groundbreaking new deal – which could help fund huge summer spending

Arsenal reportedly plot stunning swoop for Manchester United star

Gunners legend Ian Wright on the Gunners moment that 'broke' him - ‘Like ripping your heart out’

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.