Mo Salah's PFA Award Stage Laughter at Declan Rice's Arsenal Remarks Sparks Online Frenzy

Mo Salah’s humorous reaction to Declan Rice’s comments about Arsenal’s recent struggles has become a viral sensation, captured during the PFA Awards ceremony.

By Chris Posiano

August 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM

6,806 views

During the glitzy PFA Awards ceremony held at the Manchester Opera House, a lighthearted moment between Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and teammate Virgil van Dijk has taken the internet by storm. The incident occurred when Declan Rice, speaking about Arsenal’s season, mentioned their three consecutive Premier League runner-up finishes, prompting Salah to turn to van Dijk with a knowing grin.

Rice, reflecting on Arsenal’s journey, remarked: “It has obviously been really tough coming second three years in a row. But I have said it before, in life you have got to go through some small losses in order to win.” His words were met with a shared, cheeky smile from Salah and van Dijk, whose camaraderie was captured in photos and videos shared widely on social media.

The context of Rice’s comments is significant, as Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title in the 2022-2024 seasons, falling to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City each time. However, the Gunners’ hopes for a breakthrough were dashed last season when Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot, secured the championship, leaving Arsenal once again as runners-up. Despite this, Rice remains optimistic, stating: “We are going to keep going and keep pushing, and hopefully something can come for us.”

The trio was on stage to celebrate their inclusion in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, an honor that featured five Liverpool players and three from Arsenal. The event also highlighted the ongoing transfer drama involving Alexander Isak, who was named in the team but couldn’t attend due to his contentious move from Newcastle to Liverpool. Isak recently accused his former club of breaking promises, sparking a public exchange that has intensified ahead of the upcoming clash between the two teams.

Salah and van Dijk’s playful response to Rice’s remarks has added a touch of levity to the awards night, while the broader narrative of competitive rivalries and transfer battles continues to dominate headlines in the Premier League.