Arsenal star Declan Rice reacts as Ollie Scarles sends West Ham message
Declan Rice has reacted to Ollie Scarles’ message to West Ham fans following a comfortable 2-0 win over Leicester City on Thursday.
The 19-year-old full-back has experienced a remarkable rise in the Hammers squad since Graham Potter‘s arrival, starting ahead of Emerson Palmieri in back-to-back wins against Arsenal and the Foxes.
Scarles was eventually replaced just after the hour mark, but not before Tomas Soucek and a Jannik Vestergaard own goal meant all three points stayed at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen did have a problem with the Premier League, however, thinking he had scored his eighth league goal of the campaign before having it changed to the own goal.
Declan Rice still showing love for West Ham academy stars
Following the victory, Scarles took to Instagram [27 February], writing: “3 points, clean sheet, top night,” with emojis of the Hammers sign and a love heart.
Joining Emerson and Divin Mubama, Rice liked the post, as he does with many of the youngsters he played alongside in East London before his £105million move to the Emirates.
Graham Potter already doing wonders for West Ham youngsters
Football Insider verdict
Potter has a long way to go before helping the Hammers to climb up the Premier League table once again, but bringing youngsters into the set-up is exactly what supporters want to see.
Mubama’s exit to Man City in the summer was a huge disappointment, having been unable to tie him down to a new contract, and that was one of David Moyes‘ biggest flaws – not trusting youth.
| Ollie Scarles v Leicester City | Stat, as per FotMob |
| Minutes played | 66 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Passing accuracy | 88% |
| Tackles won | 100% (1/1) |
| Ground duels won | 100% (3/3) |
Kaelan Casey and Lewis Orford have both made tremendous strides when being called up to the senior team, with 20-year-old Evan Ferguson giving West Ham another attacking dimension up front.
Some doubts have already been raised over Potter’s reign at West Ham but there have been really encouraging signs so far, ones that will only continue once he can bring in a selection of signings.