Even before supporters grasped the reality, social media was ablaze.
RICE DECLAN kept supporters of Arsenal wondering during Tuesday’s Champions League matchup against PSG.
The midfielder for the Gunners gave teammate Riccardo Calafiori a VAPE during the match at the Emirates, according to supporters.
4Fans spotted Declan Rice giving teammate Riccardo Calafiori an object during Arsenal’s win over PSGCredit: Amazon Prime
4The Arsenal defender took the item moments after being bookedCredit: Amazon Prime
Some fans claimed it was a vape as the Italian walked away from the refCredit: Amazon As soon as Prime Referee Slavko Vincic waved the yellow card, Rice appeared and gave his teammate something. Calafiori turned his back on the referee and began to gnaw on something. A fan on X speculated wildly, “Who just saw Declan Rice giving Calafiori a vape and Calafiori vaping in the middle of the game?” What on earth is that? Another claimant said, “I had to rewind because I thought Rice had given Calafiori a vape at first.”A third asked, “What was it that Rice gave Calafiori recently? It looked like an actual vape pen. A fourth individual laughed: “Calafiori hitting a vape midgame is crazy, but whats crazier is how come Rice had it in his pocket like is he their vape holder?”
Despite appearances, several perceptive fans discovered the purported vaporiser was actually an energy gel.
With a giggle, one fan said, “It’s clearly a gel, come on guys.”
“Who just threw an energy gel at Calafiori while he was getting booked?” said another.
There are no regulations prohibiting the use of the gels during a game; they are intended to provide an immediate energy boost.
After winning on Tuesday, Arsenal is now ranked seventh in the updated Champions League standings.
It comes after Gameweek 1’s depressing 0-0 draw with Atalanta.
On the 20th minute, Havertz opened the score by nodding in a wonderful cross from Leandro Trossard.
Fifteen minutes later, Saka rightfully doubled that lead by swatting over a free-kick that eluded all defenders, including Gianluigi Donnarumma.