Rice cracks a smile on the Arsenal bench as he talks through his wondergoal

Declan Rice shared a laugh with teammates on the Arsenal bench as Mikel Arteta's side thrashed West Ham.

William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard had all got on the scoresheet before half-time at the London Stadium, with supporters departing en masse during the interval.

Saka then added a second after the restart before Rice completed the rout with an explosive finish from outside of the box to add insult to injury to the hapless Hammers.

As he wheeled away the England international chose not to celebrate shortly after was replaced by Mohamed Elneny with the result well beyond doubt.

Though he refrained from expressing his excitement on the pitch, Rice couldn't help but crack a smile on the bench as he talked Saka and Ben White through his goal.

After bolstering their title ambitions with such a decisive victory, Arsenal fans took to social media to share their reactions to the incident.

One wrote: 'Declan Rice on the bench laughing at West Ham, they clapped him off.'

Another added: 'Rice cracking up on the bench. I know their fans are seething.'

A further supporter commented:  'PLS THE WAY MY COMMENTATOR WENT 3EEB 3ALYK YA DECLAN RICE AFTER THEY SHOWED HIM LAUGHING ON THE BENCH IM CRYING.'

Another wrote: 'Rice acting all sad after laughing his a** off on the bench DJSJSJSJ.'

Though he chose not to celebrate his goal, Rice was not exempted from a hostile reception on his return to the home of his former club.

A chorus of boss rang out throughout the stadium every time the 25-year-old had a touch of the ball prior to his substitution.

Gunners fan Piers Morgan commented on Rice's reception during the game, calling the West Ham fans that boo'd their former captain 'classless'.