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Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Why Declan Rice shouted at Eddie Nketiah as Arsenal given big Champions League boost at West Ham

Declan Rice was furious at Eddie Nketiah during the latter stages of Arsenal's 2-1 victory against West Ham United.

The Hale End academy graduate was drafted into the team last month after Alexandre Lacazette tested positive for Covid-19. And the young forward has done well since coming into the starting XI, clearly improving in his hold-up ability whilst also netting a brace during the Gunners' 4-2 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

However, the talented youngster, who spent time with the Blues during his younger days before he was released, angered Hammers duo Aaron Cresswell and Rice towards the dying embers of Sunday's clash. Nketiah was trying to waste time by stopping Cresswell from taking a free-kick before the veteran defender grabbed him by the collar, with referee Mike Dean brandishing a yellow card for both players.

Read more: David Moyes and Jermain Defoe agree on why Arsenal star Martin Odegaard makes a big difference

Rice then got involved, squaring up to the Arsenal forward as the English pair got involved in a heated conversation. Eventually, Martin Odegaard ushered his teammate away from the tough-tackling midfielder before the north Londoners secured all three points.

The result means the Gunners are now back above Tottenham Hotspur into fourth place, with the two local rivals set to play each other at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this month. But first for Spurs is Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool next weekend whilst Arsenal welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium next Sunday.

A top-four finish would secure Arsenal UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in five years and would be a huge help in the transfer market in terms of convincing players to join the club.

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