West Ham took on Arsenal this Saturday as they looked to push for a European spot.
The Hammers started the day in 10th place but could have moved as high as 7th with a win over Arsenal.
Arsenal, on the other hand, started the day in 5th place and needed to win to keep the pressure on the top four.
The Gunners would start Saturday’s game the brighter of the two sides.
Alexander Lacazette would link up well with Alex Iwobi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to create a few early chances.
However, West Ham holding midfielder Declan Rice would be a key part of the Hammers keeping the score at 0-0. West Ham would eventually grow into the game and finish the first 45 with eight goal attempts to Arsenal’s six.
https://twitter.com/brandiyyc/status/1084084846383661056
Perhaps West Ham’s best player of the first-half was Rice.
The 19-year-old has now featured in 20 of West Ham’s league games this campaign and is even attracting the attention of Man City.
(Declan) Rice, Rice, Baby 🎶 ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/8fVXn2OeZc
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 12, 2019
Rice was once again superb vs Arsenal although he did miss West Ham’s best chance of the first half.
But the midfielder would make up for it shortly after the break as he scored his first ever West Ham goal.
Declan Rice is very good.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) January 12, 2019
Declan Rice a lovely player to watch. So neat and tidy and calm on the ball. Nuts he is 19. I could just about work a washing machine by that age.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) January 12, 2019
Painful to be an Irishman watching Declan Rice playing, and being really f*cking good.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) January 12, 2019