Saka Shocked: Spurs Taunt Rice’s Partner N London 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2026.​
• Eberechi Eze scored a brace (32nd and 64th minutes), while Viktor Gyokeres also netted twice (47th and 90+4th minutes) for Arsenal.​
• Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani equalised temporarily in the 34th minute, but his second goal was disallowed for a foul on Arsenal’s Gabriel.
• During the match, a Tottenham fan taunted Declan Rice by showing a picture of his partner, Lauren Fryer, on his phone while Rice prepared to take a corner, in an apparent body-shaming or mocking gesture.
• Cameras captured Declan Rice informing Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka about the incident immediately after, with Saka displaying a visibly shocked reaction.
• The taunt targeted Lauren Fryer, who has faced prior online abuse regarding her appearance; she and Rice have been together since age 17, share a child born in 2022, and married in June 2025.​
• The incident has sparked widespread condemnation online, with fans calling it misogynistic and repulsive, and discussions on Reddit highlighting the exhausting negativity faced by Rice’s partner.​
• Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice played the full match despite the provocation and contributed to the win, maintaining his unbeaten record against Tottenham since joining Arsenal in 2023.
• The match was Tottenham’s first under interim manager Igor Tudor following Thomas Frank’s departure; Spurs sit 16th, five points above relegation zone.​
• Attendance was 61,439 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under sunny intervals with a gentle breeze at 14 degrees; referee Peter Bankes issued yellow cards to Spurs’ Gray and Bissouma, and Arsenal’s Timber.​
• This victory moved Arsenal five points clear at the Premier League summit ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
• Video footage of Rice telling Saka circulated widely on social media, including Reddit and Instagram, amplifying the story.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (North London News) February 24, 2026 – Arsenal delivered a dominant 4-1 triumph over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a fiercely contested North London Derby, but the match was overshadowed by a disturbing incident where a Spurs supporter mocked Declan Rice’s partner, Lauren Fryer, prompting a shocked reaction from teammate Bukayo Saka.

The victory propelled Arsenal five points clear at the Premier League summit, with goals from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres underscoring their attacking prowess. Yet, amid the celebrations, attention shifted to an ugly episode involving Rice, captured on camera and shared across social media platforms.​

What Happened During the North London Derby?

The clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium exemplified the intense rivalry between the two North London clubs, drawing a crowd of 61,439 under clear skies. Arsenal struck first through Eberechi Eze in the 32nd minute, only for Randal Kolo Muani to level proceedings two minutes later with his first Premier League goal for Spurs.​​

As reported in the official Tottenham Hotspur match report, Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s lead early in the second half at the 47th minute, with Eze adding his second on 64 minutes; Kolo Muani thought he had equalised again, but the goal was chalked off for a foul on Gabriel during the buildup. Gyokeres sealed the win with a late brace-completing strike in the 90+4th minute.​

Referee Peter Bankes managed a heated affair, issuing yellow cards to Tottenham’s Archie Gray and Yves Bissouma, and Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber. Declan Rice, Arsenal’s midfield linchpin, played the full 90 minutes, helping maintain his personal unbeaten streak against Spurs since his 2023 transfer from West Ham.

Who Taunted Declan Rice and How?

The unsavoury moment unfolded when Rice approached the corner flag to take a set-piece. A Tottenham fan in the stands leaned over the advertising hoardings, holding up his phone displaying a photo of Rice’s partner, Lauren Fryer, while making mocking gestures, as detailed by the Daily Mirror.

As described in a widely shared Reddit thread titled

“Declan Rice telling Saka about the Spurs supporter mockingly showing him a picture of his girlfriend,”

the fan’s actions appeared premeditated, with poor reception at the Emirates cited in discussions but not excusing the behaviour. This incident echoed prior abuse Fryer endured, including online trolls after Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Chelsea in April 2024, prompting her to delete Instagram posts amid a wave of support.

Football.London reported that the supporter

“pathetically mocks Declan Rice’s partner during North London Derby,”

noting Arsenal’s 4-1 win despite the provocation. Rice looked visibly angry at the time, but Arsenal had the last laugh on the pitch.

What Was Bukayo Saka’s Reaction?

Moments after the taunt, cameras caught Rice relaying the details to Bukayo Saka, who responded with an instant look of shock. Arsenal Insider highlighted

“Bukayo Saka left shocked after hearing what Tottenham fans did to Declan Rice on Sunday,”

with footage showing Saka’s dismay during the heated derby.

The Reddit discussion amplified the clip, with users like BellyCrawler noting the “disheartening” online negativity towards Fryer, described as an “ordinary person who has had kids,” and 29adamski labelling the fan’s actions “misogynistic and repulsive.” Saka’s reaction underscored the discomfort even amid Arsenal’s dominance.​

Why Is This Incident Controversial?

The taunt has ignited backlash across social media, with commenters like Wild_Bee_3953 pointing to double standards in criticising footballers’ partners. Gamereactor.eu noted it as body-shaming, referencing Fryer’s history of abuse and her long-term relationship with Rice since they were teenagers.

Tribal Football described the fan’s actions as “pathetic,” occurring during a match where Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres bagged braces. Discussions on Reddit condemned the misogyny, with R_Schuhart affirming no justification exists, while MindTheBees called it “bizarre and awkward,” distinguishing it from standard rivalry jeers.

As a journalist with over a decade in news reporting, such incidents highlight the darker side of fan passion, crossing into personal attacks that demand scrutiny from authorities.​

What Is the Background of Declan Rice and Lauren Fryer?

Declan Rice and Lauren Fryer have been partners since age 17, welcoming their first child in 2022 and marrying in June 2025. Rice, formerly West Ham captain, joined Arsenal in 2023 and remains unbeaten against Tottenham, his last loss to them a 2-0 defeat in 2022-23.

Prior abuse targeted Fryer post-Arsenal’s Chelsea win, leading to support from fans. Rice recounted to The Sun Saka’s advice upon his arrival:

“You can’t lose derbies to Spurs,”

emphasising the fixture’s weight for players, staff, and supporters.

How Did the Match Impact League Standings?

Arsenal’s win, following a midweek draw with Wolves, restored their five-point lead over Manchester City, who hold a game in hand. Tottenham, under new interim boss Igor Tudor after Thomas Frank’s exit, languish in 16th, five points above 18th-placed West Ham.

Sky Sports noted Eze and Gyokeres “tormented Tottenham,” full of “intent and aggression.” Al Jazeera’s live blog covered the build-up to this crucial derby.

What Have Fans and Media Said?

Online reactions were swift and critical. On Reddit, Tomnookballbag mocked potential violence responses, while IfYouRun highlighted troubling perceptions of women. CBS Sports Golazo’s YouTube analysis praised Arsenal’s restorers of lead, with pundits Adam Hunt, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Troy Deeney dissecting the derby.​​

Spurs-Web found Saka’s pre-match derby advice to Rice “confusing” given his own losses to Tottenham earlier in his career. No official statements from clubs or FA have emerged yet, but the viral footage ensures ongoing debate.

Broader Context of North London Derby Rivalry

The 199th instalment reaffirmed Arsenal’s recent dominance, repeating a 4-1 Emirates win earlier this season. Past derbies featured similar tensions, like Saka facing Euro 2020 penalty chants in 2024, responding with an assist and ear-cupping celebration.