Declan Rice has regained some West Ham respect as a video shows the Arsenal star goading Spurs during the North London Derby.
When Declan Rice pushed to leave West Ham for London rivals Arsenal in the summer it left many a nose out of joint.
Rice had the choice between the Gunners or Man City but wanted to stay in London and work with Mikel Arteta.
It even created a rivalry between West Ham and Arsenal that had never really existed given their mutual dislike of Tottenham Hotspur.
The £105m move has created a rivalry of sorts between two clubs who have never really shared one.
Rice sparked new West Ham and Arsenal rivalry
Unlike certain former West Ham academy graduates who have moved on to Premier League rivals, Rice has carried himself with great class and dignity since departing the London Stadium for The Emirates.
He is also yet to kiss the Arsenal badge, something others who have departed West Ham have done all too soon.
On several occasions he has publicly stated he will always love West Ham and the fans.
He refused to celebrate when he scored that goal in Arsenal’s 6-0 win over his former team at the London Stadium.
And he even admitted the goal was extremely bittersweet for him after the game.
Now it seems Spurs may have helped ease relations between the Hammers and their former skipper.
Rice regains West Ham respect by goading Spurs
Many West Ham supporters were – and indeed remain – angry with Rice.
But besides some pantomime banter, the level of respect among the majority has been clear when Rice has faced West Ham with Arsenal this season.
West Ham were unbeaten against Tottenham this season, winning in north London before drawing at home.
The Gunners now have a similar record having beaten Spurs 3-2 in Sunday’s North London Derby at Tottenham and drawn in the reverse fixture.
One moment in yesterday’s game went down well in east London too.
Rice regained some West Ham respect as video shows the Arsenal star goading Spurs during the NLD.
Spurs supporters have three reasons to dislike Rice given his is a current Arsenal player, former West Ham star and an ex Chelsea youth player and boyhood fan.
The ex Hammers captain was taking a corner in at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and received dog’s abuse from the home fans.
A number of them even got off their seats to lean over the barrier and give Rice a piece of their minds as he took the corner.
Rice has the last laugh at Tottenham
What they were shouting at him is anyone’s guess. But it’s pretty clear it wasn’t anything complimentary.
Rice had the last laugh, though.
Arsenal scored from his corner and Rice instantly turned to the corner of Tottenham fans who’d been having a pop at him.
He goaded them with a wild double fist-pumping celebration.
Video of the moment, which you can watch below, has been posted on social media, quickly going viral.
And not just among Arsenal fans.
The comments were inundated by West Ham supporters too with many saying ‘Once a Hammer, always a Hammer’.
It’s fair to say Rice’s goading went down very well with West Ham fans.
And it may have just seen a level of respect restored for their former skipper.
You can watch the video in the post below.