Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on the victory: “Very happy. We knew it would be a tough match. Three games in seven days and two very intense games before this. Very happy.”
On learning from previous defeats by West Ham: “When we played Newcastle we said we had to learn from the past and the scars we had in that stadium. Today as well we lost the previous two at the Emirates (against West Ham) but we won today and fully deserved it.”
On Odegaard’s injury: “With Martin it was a clash knee to knee. It’s not looking very positive at the moment.”
On Rice’s substitution: “With Declan he was struggling with back pain and he asked me to come off. Lett’s see what the doctor says now and what is best for him.”
On Saka scoring on his 200th appearance: “It’s exceptional what he’s doing at his age. The impact he has on those matches, it’s very difficult to do I’m very happy for him. He’s super consistent and willing to learn constantly. He finds ways to find goals. He will grow and become more mature. Hopefully he’ll keep impacting the team.”
Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries, we got some today but we were able to respond.
“We dominated and fully deserved to win this. We had some big, big chances we didn’t put away.
“The players who came on contributed to maintaining the standards. Let’s look forward to the international break.”
On Martin Odegaard injury: “So unlucky again. He went knee to knee and felt straight away something was not right. Let’s assess him and see how bad the injury is. He has been very, very unlucky.”
On Bukayo Saka and his 200th PL appearance for Arsenal: “It has been an incredible journey together. The way he has done it is special. He is loved by everybody and the numbers he is creating are incredible at his age – so much more to come from him.”
This is how Twitter users reacted as Declan Rice smiles at West Ham fans ‘who give him pelters’ then has the last laugh…
Rice goading West Ham fans after he scored pic.twitter.com/2JcNzYHuFh
— Central (@WestHam_Central) October 5, 2025
Let’s put aside the fantasy of WHU fans being proper fans given what Rice did for their club. The best part of this is;
a) the incredible self-own to recognise you’re NOT a big club
b) the little looks he gave you all when he smashed the ball into the net right infront of you all pic.twitter.com/LdhQRq6WYk
— ⚫ Why Always You ⚪ (@pls_do_better) October 5, 2025
@DaleSmith464322: Y did we boo dec man this where r fans go wrong. what more could he done u can only blame the owners for him going
@OsmanZtheGooner: That look by Declan Rice towards West Ham fans after scoring 🤣
@jamesdowning191: I think Declan looks disappointed by some of the things directed at him. He gave everything for us when he was with us. He moved due to lack of investment in our squad. Blame Sullivan not Declan #BSOUT
@eze_quisite: Gave the away fans the eyes when he scored too, he’s proper Arsenal.
@JosephPetrassi: They do it everytime with Rice only to get shushed
@robinhoodbaas: Declan Rice lovely guy. When he left West Ham he did it with so much respect to his former club. Now when he took a corner in front of their fans they abused him. Why. No point in not celebrating his goal because they showed him no respect
@andyrayner9: I couldn’t agree more. He’s moved on, it’s about time we gave him pelters. There’s no such thing as loyalty in professional sports
@Daily_DC_Planet: We all new rice was going he made it clear and gave us ll time to accept it, I don’t hold any ill regard to him, like moyes I’m greatful for the good times now time to move on and not sound like some clingy Ex girlfriend.
@Misswhu42milli1: Couldn’t give a fuck if Declan rice celebrates or not , he’s not a West Ham player anymore , people are so sensitive the worlds actually full of wet wipes ⚒️
@dandhj2: As a ⚒️ I’m embarrassed
@de11boy: West Ham never owned Rice BUT Rice owns West Ham! The definition of “rent free”. Next time don’t hold back Dec, show them what it means to celebrate!
@_Kieran__91: Shame no one has a video of West Ham fans reaction to Rice scoring
