Declan Rice’s nightmare West Ham return a result of Arsenal’s complacency
By the time Declan Rice eventually took to the pitch on his return to West Ham, his rescue mission had begun to look like an impossible task. The smattering of boos that greeted the return of only the third West Ham captain in history to lift a major honour were quickly drowned out by a rapturous roar. Rice had only been on for a matter of moments when Jarrod Bowen’s deflected strike cannoned in off Aaron Ramsdale and with it, Rice’s old club led his new club by three goals. By the end, Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup with barely a whimper. This was not a happy homecoming for Rice – it was a terrible night for Arsenal, a difficult evening for Ramsdale, and a regretful one for Mikel Arteta, whose side were second-best throughout. Rice’s introduction off the bench came too late, as did the arrivals of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, who fired a consolation goal that was barely even acknowledged in the 95th minute. Arsenal took this fourth-round tie lightly and were punished: West Ham and David Moyes pulled off their plan and played the occasion well. They thoroughly deserved their place in the quarter-finals. After Rice helped inspire West Ham to the Europa Conference League last season, delivering a fitting send-off on his final appearance for the club, it could be that the Hammers win another trophy before he does. Rice, of course, has bigger goals than the Carabao Cup, but it could be that the competition serves as the perfect way for West Ham to build on last season’s success. Bowen and Lucas Paqueta were excellent, but the game’s outstanding moment came with Mohammed Kudus’s stunning second for the hosts. West Ham have invested the Rice money wisely. Arsenal, though, had their lack of depth exposed. Arteta’s side looked flat from the start and the concession of a cheap corner invited West Ham to roll numbers forward and into the box. While Tomas Soucek grappled with Ramsdale on the goalline, Bowen aimed towards the front post with plenty of pace and whip. There was no West Ham player in sight but Arsenal got themselves into a mess: with Ramsdale pushing past Soucek and crashing the back of Gabriel, Ben White, caught behind Kai Havertz, positioned in the wrong place, bundled into the net with his newly bleached blonde head. The blame from an Arsenal perspective deserved to be shared around, yet the focus naturally fell on Ramsdale. The England international had his shirt pulled and felt he was fouled, if VAR was used in the Carabao Cup fourth round then it may have been overturned. Yet his appeals towards referee Anthony Taylor were in vain and an important night for the goalkeeper was off to a difficult start. Perhaps Ramsdale, clearly Arsenal’s No 2 now despite Arteta’s curious claim that he would be rotated with David Raya, felt under more pressure than he usually would have been before he was dropped. There was certainly a sense of unease and panic in Arsenal’s defence. Ramsdale and Gabriel invited pressure as Arsenal struggled to play out, which played into West Ham’s hands. The hosts were up for it, Bowen raising the crowd with a challenge deep in Arsenal’s half, West Ham then forcing another corner with their subsequent press. Ramsdale was again targeted by Soucek and although West Ham finished the half without having a shot on target, registering just over 32 per cent of the possession, it felt as if Moyes’s side carried the greater threat on the counter-attack. Arsenal were slow and ponderous, and it was no surprise to see Rice was summoned to begin his warm-up midway through the first half, greeted by a warm, rippling standing ovation from much of the London Stadium. After making changes, Arteta left himself with the security of a high-quality bench and it quickly became clear that Rice, Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli would be needed. Despite their possession, Havertz’s flicked header that forced an instinctive save from Lukasz Fabianski was the closest the visitors came. But half-time came and went without any changes and Arsenal were almost punished within seconds of the restart. Paqueta slipped in Bowen with a reverse pass and Ramsdale was required to stretch his arms to deny the forward’s clever chip. White, this time, cleared the danger as he beat Kudus to the rebound. Still Rice warmed up, the intensity of his sprints on the touchline quickening, and it was just at the moment of the West Ham supporters bantering with their former captain that he “should have signed for a big club” that the Hammers doubled their lead. Although not on the pitch, perhaps Rice could have been credited with the assist: it was with some of the record £105m that West Ham received for Rice this summer that led to the Hammers signing a player of the calibre of Kudus from Ajax. If Kudus has sparkled so far for West Ham with a couple of eye-catching goals and contributions, this was the 23-year-old’s most impressive yet. Controlling a high, diagonal pass, Kudus skilfully directed his touch to cut inside Zinchenko. Then, with the yard of space he had created, Kudus fired a zipping strike through the legs of Gabriel. Arteta could not wait any longer: on came Rice to more than a few boos, soon followed by Saka and Martinelli, and then Odegaard. But by then it was too late: another White header caused chaos for Arsenal, only this time it set up Bowen on the edge of the box. Bowen’s strike took a slight deflection off Jakub Kiwior, which left a rather awkward-looking Ramsdale only able to parry the volley into his own net. Rice seemed to struggle on his return, with passes overhit to cheers from the home fans. It was only with the introduction of Odegaard that Arsenal began to look more like themselves, but when the captain fired a low finish past Fabianski in the 95th minute, there was barely anyone left in the away end to applaud it. Read More Declan Rice booed by West Ham fans on return to London Stadium Carabao Cup draw: Liverpool, Newcastle and more discover fate Why Declan Rice returns to West Ham as Arsenal’s ‘Van Dijk’ signing West Ham vs Arsenal LIVE: Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction Everton end emotional week with win at West Ham thanks to Calvert-Lewin goal West Ham vs Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
2023-11-02 06:42
What did Adam Sandler say about Bob Barker? 'The Price is Right' host dies at 99
'Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me,' Adam Sandler said referring to Bob Barker
2023-08-27 08:02
Amazon Fresh grocery chain has struggled. See its stores of the future
Amazon has faced challenges getting shoppers to buy groceries in its Amazon Fresh grocery stores and recently laid off workers — but it's betting a new strategy and redesigned stores will be the answer to its struggles.
2023-08-03 23:28
Ireland ready for Springboks after taking apart Tonga at Rugby World Cup
Ireland has accounted for Tonga 59-16 and also accounted for all fingers, toes, arms and legs in mostly good order after a successful Rugby World Cup gamble in Nantes
2023-09-17 06:14
Marcus Rashford names Man City duo as Premier League's best players of last five years
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has named two rival players from Manchester City as the Premier League's top performers over the last half-decade. Man City beat Man Utd in last season's FA Cup final.
2023-07-26 23:15
Who was Javonnta Murphy? Man found in barrel at Malibu Lagoon identified as aspiring rap artist
Murphy was found stuffed in a 55-gallon drum, which was spotted floating along the coast near the 23200 block of Pacific Coast Highway on July 30
2023-08-03 16:36
Denver Broncos rule out safety Justin Simmons against the Miami Dolphins because of a hip injury
The winless Denver Broncos will be without two key defenders Sunday in Miami when they face the unbeaten Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
2023-09-23 07:06
Higher British mortgage rates squeeze housing affordability: Halifax
By Suban Abdulla LONDON A steep surge in interest rates has made it harder to buy a home,
2023-08-22 07:03
Who is Jessica Guernsey? Portland to hand out free foil and glass pipes as drug abuse runs rampant in city
The Multnomah County Health Department unveiled the new plans in an effort to engage individuals who may not seek help otherwise
2023-07-09 15:33
Max Verstappen: ‘Las Vegas is National League – Monaco is Champions League’
Max Verstappen compared the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit to the “National League” after qualifying on Saturday – while Monaco is the Champions League. The three-time world champion has been outspoken this week about the inaugural race on the Vegas strip, describing it as “99% show, 1% race.” After qualifying in third place in qualifying on Friday night – though he will start alongside pole-sitter Charles Leclerc in second as a result of Carlos Sainz’s penalty – the drivers were asked to compare a lap around the new circuit to other street tracks such as Singapore, Baku and Monaco. Verstappen simply quipped: “Monaco is Champions League… this is National League.” The National League is the fifth tier of English football, while the Champions League is Europe’s premier club competition. Verstappen was involved in a close shave with Esteban Ocon in the first part of qualifying, labelling the Alpine driver a “stupid idiot.” The Red Bull driver fell short of Leclerc’s pole-setting time by 0.378 seconds, though won’t be concerned given his supreme record this season. Verstappen has won 17 out of the 20 races in 2023, winning every grand prix since April bar Singapore in September. Read More F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying times and results in Sin City ‘It happens’: F1 fail to apologise or issue refunds to Las Vegas fans When does the Las Vegas Grand Prix start and how can I watch?
2023-11-18 18:13
Food: Bangor researcher helps saves crucial Nepalese rice crop
The high-altitude rice variety in South East Asia is threatened by a major plant disease.
2023-06-23 23:26
US Senator Tommy Tuberville changes course in 'white nationalism' row
Senator Tommy Tuberville acknowledges "white nationalists are racists" after previously disputing the claim.
2023-07-12 10:16
You Might Like...
Target on the defensive after removing LGBTQ+-themed products
UK's Hunt to cut National Insurance rate in boost for millions of workers
Tesla limits Cybertruck orders to only North America
4 potential 2023 World Series winners the Braves should sign
Ukraine Russia news – live: Putin’s forces ‘caught in trap’ in Bakhmut as Kyiv’s troops advance
Sushi standoff spreads as Russia joins China in banning Japanese seafood
Carlos Alcaraz rolls over unseeded Italian and into US Open quarterfinals
Explainer-How Wall Street is preparing for possible US debt default
