Declan Rice joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023 from West Ham United for a transfer fee of £105 million.
In just a year, the Englishman has proved his worth by playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s title challenge as a holding midfielder.
Safe to say that the arrival of Rice last summer was a statement signing by Arsenal and one that has paid off.
It’s unsurprising that the supporters of the North London club have taken the former West Ham United man to their hearts.
Rice’s presence on the pitch has allowed other players like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka to play with more freedom, knowing that the midfield is in safe hands.
Rice protects and adds to the already strong backline of Arsenal that consists of stars like Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Ben White. The Englishman has been a perfect fit for Arteta’s side and looks to be a key player under Arteta’s regime going forward.
The fans have not held back from showing their support for Rice, with chants like “Rice Rice Baby” and “We got him for half price” coming early in his Arsenal career.
Besides the ones above, Rice also has a cult-classic anthem echoing around the Emirates, a tribute from the fans that celebrates his arrival and impact at Arsenal, all thanks to the Ashburton Army.
The Ashburton Army (AA) was a brainchild of young supporters who wanted to emulate the concept of the ‘ultras’ in Europe. Sat in Block 25 of the Emirates Stadium, the AA are known for belting out their songs, with plenty praising Arteta and Arsenal and a few less complimentary songs about North London rivals Tottenham.
The song Sway, originally composed by Mexican bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, gained international fame in the 1950s. The original enjoyed decades of popularity across generations and was given a fresh spin by Michael Bublé in 2003, making it a modern hit.
Its slow and flowy tune makes it a unique song to use to create a chant. The Ashburton Army has skillfully reworked it into a catchy, football-themed tribute to their midfield maestro.
Here’s how the lyrics of Ashburton Army’s chant for Declan Rice goes –
Went down the Emirates just the other night, to see the boys in red and white, Then Mikel Arteta looked me in the eye, Said to me, we’re signing Declan Rice, Du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du!
This catchy chant mirrors the original melody of Sway, with the distinctive “du-du-du” mimicking the smooth rhythm of the song, making it instantly recognizable for fans at the Emirates.
It’s a chant that continues to emphasize the fans’ ever growing love for Rice and also circles back to the excitement that fans had when the midfielder first arrived at the club.
Although it remains difficult to pinpoint who created the chant in the AA, a twitter user gives credit to ClockEndLC, which suggests he is the creator of this new chant.
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