Declan Rice asks for Arsenal signature in tunnel embrace with Martin Odegaard
Declan Rice was caught on camera asking for Martin Odegaard’s signature as the pair shared a moment following the entertaining 2-2 draw between West Ham and Arsenal on Sunday, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The post-match embrace in the London Stadium tunnel will naturally increase speculation that the Hammers’ captain is set for a switch to north London at the end of the season.
Rice produced a commanding display in a timely reminder to Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta of what they would be buying amid reports of further Premier League interest in the midfielder.
In the Mail feature, it was highlighted that the incident wasn’t quite the standard shirt swap.
“Those reports linking him with a move across London to the Premier League leaders have now intensified after footage shows the England international embracing Arsenal captain Odegaard and getting him to sign a top for him.”
“Swapping shirts is commonplace between players at full-time but this appears to be a bizarre request by Rice given that Arsenal played in their black away strip and Odegaard is signing a home shirt.”
Potential new destination
Given the type of shirt that was signed, it certainly made for a peculiar talking point. Arsenal could well be his next calling but there will be other offers.
Against Arsenal, Rice demonstrated on the pitch just how good he is, just ask Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian just couldn’t compete with the England international and that is backed up by the stats.
The 24-year-old Hammers’ skipper made the most tackles (four) and successful interceptions (four) of any player on the pitch in Sunday’s stalemate, whilst Partey didn’t manage any of either, he just couldn’t get near his counterpart.
Arteta put Partey out of his misery in the second-half when he was replaced by Jorginho in the 67th minute.
After two consecutive draws, throwing away a two-goal lead against Liverpool and then the Irons, what the Spanish coach would give to have a driving force like Rice on his side right now as their wobble continues at the top of the Premier League table.
In other West Ham news, ‘Strange’ – Journalist reacts to news on possible David Moyes replacement.