Declan Rice was initially given a warm reception by West Ham supporters, only for David Moyes' plea to fall on deaf ears once he was on the pitch.
Much was made pre-match about what kind of reception Rice would get upon his first return to the London Stadium since his move to Arsenal. The early signs were mixed, with the midfielder initially being jeered when he first came out to warm up, only for those to be drowned out by a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Rice handled himself with class and didn't react to those booing. Instead, the England ace acknowledged the standing ovation and applauded the fans that once adored him while jogging up and down the touchline.
By the time he came on, there was the odd boo, but the overwhelming majority of those inside the London Stadium were quick to rise to their feet and applaud once him again after coming off the bench. However, those cheers soon turned to jeers with every touch the midfielder made.
Ahead of the game, Arsenal boss Arteta admitted he hoped for a warm welcome back to east London for his £105million man. "He’s likely [to play] He’s fit and can be involved. It will be his first time back at his old club and a beautiful moment I think for him.
Arteta was then asked if Rice playing against his former side would actually serve as an advantage to the Gunners. "I think it’s beautiful. I had the experience to do it a few times and then you really see what they think of you and what you left at the club. It’s a really good way to measure your experience and your reality within the reality of the people who share moments with you.
"I would say so [he'll get a good reception]. I hope so. Especially, every time you hear him talk about West Ham and what they did for him and everybody at the club, he cannot talk any higher, so hopefully they will be the same way towards him."
Hammers boss David Moyes echoed a similar sentiment pre-match, urging fans to remember all Rice has done for the club. “You’ve got to remember this is the man who lifted this club’s first European trophy in more than 50 years," the Scot explained.
"He should be welcomed back with open arms. We’re all looking forward to seeing him again. He was a brilliant member of the team. He led the team brilliantly well. He conducted himself impeccably as a West Ham captain and as a player."
Rice's first game back had not started the way he would have hoped as the Gunners found themselves 1-0 down inside the opening exchanges after a Ben White own goal. At the half-time interval, a number of Hammers players embraced Rice as he remained on the pitch to warm up.