Declan Rice left West Ham United to join Arsenal in the summer, and now Kai Havertz has opened a can of worms about the big-money transfer.
Arsenal duo Kai Havertz and Declan Rice both moved to the Emirates in the summer transfer window, from Chelsea and West Ham respectively.
The Germany international has struggled to make an impact with the Gunners so far, whilst the Englishman has hit the ground running, just like everyone expected him to do.
Since Dec left the Hammers, he has received a mixed reaction from the London Stadium faithful, although he did send a lengthy message of thanks to the West Ham fans after we beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup earlier this month.
There are some Hammers fans who cannot abide the 24-year-old for leaving us to join a London rival club, whilst some refuse to buckle, and regard him as a legend for what he did for us. In truth, I think that somewhere in between those two trains of thought is the best place to be.
However, an admission just made by Havertz will undoubtedly tip the scales in the favor of those who vilify the midfielder.
Kai Havertz makes Declan Rice admission in Arsenal
In my view, the Germany international, 24, has really spoken out of turn about Rice, and his move to Arsenal in the summer.
Havertz suggested that he spoke to Dec about joining the Gunners in the summer, when speaking to Arsenal’s official website:
“From outside, Arsenal always looked like a family. That’s the feeling I got when playing. And when I joined, that was exactly what it was like, and the staff are really nice too – and that makes life easier for a new player.”
“Before I joined, I spoke a lot with Declan Rice as well, who I know through Mason Mount. For me it was very easy to come into the team because there are so many young players. I’ve played against a lot of them already so I know them from the pitch, and I have found it easy to make friends here. Hopefully it will continue like this.”
The German’s comments prove that Rice was in cahoots with the Gunners whilst he was still being paid a wage at the London Stadium. And that is quite simply unacceptable as far as I’m concerned.
