Declan Rice mocked for 'playing up to the cameras' after looking at the Champions League ball

Declan Rice has been accused of "playing up for the cameras" ahead of his first ever appearance in the Champions League.

Arsenal host PSV Eindhoven, a side who beat them in the Europa League group stages last season, in Europe's premier club competition at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's side are in Group B along with Sevilla and Lens in what is their first season back in the Champions League since 2017 when Arsene Wenger was in charge.

Their last appearance in the tournament was a 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich but the Gunners, finalists back in 2006, now have a talented squad capable of mixing it with the elite once again.

There could be several Champions League debutants for Arsenal on Wednesday night, one being club-record £105 million signing Rice.

The England international achieved huge success in Europe by captaining West Ham to the Conference League last season but he will truly arrive in the big time in his next outing.

Image: Getty

And prior to the game, Rice has been panned for his reaction to being handed an Adidas Champions League balls which Arsenal were training with.

Emile-Smith Rowe handed Rice the ball and he held it in hand, pausing for a while and smiling.

The video went viral but plenty reckon Rice was playing up for the cameras, which were filming the session.

One fan reacted: "Mate they're sold in JD and sports direct. Stop playing up for the camera."

A second said: "It's a football, mate."

A third concurred: "Bro's just strutting for the camera."

A fourth fan added: "Smith Rowe even goes stop playing up for the camera."

Another went in, writing: "Imagine looking at a football like it's the love of your life."

A final user simply asked: "What is bro doing?"

Rice will probably be excused when he hears the Champions League anthem for the first time, however.

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy had a beaming smile when it blared out at the San Siro prior to the Magpies' first Champions League fixture for 20 years.

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Topics: Arsenal, Declan Rice, West Ham United, Fan Reactions

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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