‘People do not understand’… Ian Wright launches strong defence of 24-year-old Arsenal player

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Ian Wright has defended Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after the match against West Ham United.

The former Arsenal and West Ham striker has outlined the reasons why Rice was not at his best in the London derby.

So, what has Ian Wright said about Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice? Let’s take a look.

Ian Wright gives verdict on Declan Rice after Arsenal defeat to West Ham United

Well, Arsenal suffered a surprise defeat to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium this week.

The Gunners lost the Premier League match on Thursday evening 2-0. Tomas Soucek fired in Jarrod Bowen’s cutback in the 13th minute to controversially give West Ham the lead.

Former Arsenal centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos headed in a corner in the 55th minute to make it 2-0 to the Hammers.

Declan Rice started the London derby for Arsenal against his former club West Ham. The 24-year-old England international midfielder switched to the Gunners from the Hammers in the summer of 2023.

Although Rice was good defensively, he was not particularly great in possession and did not seem to be able to drive the team forward. Alan Shearer said that he was at fault for the opening West Ham goal.

Former Arsenal and West Ham striker Ian Wright has given his theory why Rice was not at his best, arguing that he was trying a bit too hard not to do anything wrong against his old club.

Wright said about Rice on the Wrighty’s House podcast: “Watching Declan Rice yesterday, there are a couple of things. People are going on about Declan Rice yesterday. People do not understand. 

“Firstly, his connection with West Ham, what he has done for them, the fact that there is so much love in the whole situation and West Ham, I felt the same with Palace until Palace (fans) started f*****g slaughtering me and singing terrible songs about my mum and everything.

“What people do not understand about Declan and playing against them, in form and at home, emotionally and mentally, it is really really tough. It’s really tough. I wouldn’t say he was trying harder, but he was probably trying harder to not do anything wrong.”

Declan Rice has been superb for Arsenal

In my view, Declan Rice has been one of the best players for Arsenal this season and has been absolutely superb.

Rice settled in at Arsenal right from the start and has looked at home in the way that manager Mikel Arteta plays his football.

Yes, the England international did not have the best of times against West Ham, but it was just one match, and that too against his former club.