Eagle-eyed fans think they spotted a ballboy celebrating Rice's thunderbolt

Eagle-eyed social media users believe they spotted a West Ham ballboy celebrating Declan Rice's wondergoal during Arsenal's impressive 6-0 victory.

Rice, making his Premier League return at London Stadium for the first time since his £105million move, came back to haunt his former club with a sublime strike.

With Mikel Arteta's title contenders leading by five goals, four of which came in a hectic 15-minute spell before half-time, Rice latched onto a loose ball from distance.

His powerful strike then hurtled through the air and beat Alphonse Areola before finding the far corner, sending the travelling contingent into raptures.

However, after watching several replays of the goal, some supporters took to X to claim they noticed a ball boy jump to his feet and sneakily celebrate.

'Anyone see that ball boy from behind the goal?' one asked. 'Even he was impressed.'

'Even the ball boy jumped up and celebrated,' added another.

A third posted: 'Loooool even the West Ham ball boy got up and celebrated that.'

'Not that ball boy thinking DR [Declan Rice] still plays for the Hammers,' a fourth said.

Several clips of the goal did indeed show the ball boy in question rising to his feet and seemingly appearing shocked, but there was no discernible celebration.

Ultimately, Rice enjoyed the last laugh and was spotted enjoying a moment on the Arsenal bench after being taken off shortly after finding the back of the net.

William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard all scored in the first-half, triggering hordes of West Ham supporters to head for the exits.

Saka then chalked up his brace after the restart before Rice completed the rout.

Though he refrained from expressing his emotions on the pitch, Rice couldn't help but crack