Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice believes it is time for the Gunners to finally secure a major trophy after narrowly missing out on silverware in recent seasons. Despite setbacks in domestic cup competitions, Rice remains optimistic about Arsenal’s ability to remain competitive in the Premier League title race.
Recent Title Challenges
- Premier League Heartbreak:
Arsenal finished as runners-up in the last two seasons:- 2022-23: Five points behind Manchester City.
- 2023-24: Falling just two points short of the title.
- Cup Struggles:
- Knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on penalties.
- Facing a difficult path to the EFL Cup final after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the semi-final first leg.
Staying Competitive This Season
- Premier League Position: Arsenal remains firmly in contention for their 14th league title, though they currently sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who hold a game in hand.
- Chances of Victory: According to the Opta supercomputer, Arsenal’s chances of winning the league are currently just 9.9%.
Declan Rice’s Determination
Rice acknowledges the need for Arsenal to step up and deliver for their fans:
“The last two years we’ve been so close… The fans are really waiting for that one now, and we really want to deliver it.”
Despite injuries to key players and a few unexpected draws, Rice remains confident that Arsenal can maintain their solid form and push for the title.
Set-Piece Strengths
One of Arsenal’s standout attributes this season has been their effectiveness from set-pieces:
- Nine Goals from Corners: The most in the Premier League.
- Recent Success: Five of their last 13 league goals have come via corner situations.
Rice has played a pivotal role in this improvement, stepping up to take corners during Bukayo Saka’s absence and assisting two goals from set pieces.
Mikel Arteta’s Influence
Rice praised manager Mikel Arteta for his leadership and tactical acumen:
“The manager is unbelievable… He’s given us everything he possibly can to go out there and win a football match.”
Rice emphasized that it is now up to the players to deliver results:
“We need to find something from within… The only thing missing is winning stuff with this squad.”
Looking Forward
As Arsenal enters the second half of the season, Rice highlighted the importance of maintaining focus and consistency:
- Winning Mentality: “We just need to keep winning football matches and focus on ourselves.”
- Trophy Ambitions: The Gunners are determined to end their trophy drought and reward their fans with success.
FAQs
- What has Declan Rice said about Arsenal’s title chances?
Rice believes Arsenal can still compete for the title and emphasizes the need to maintain focus and consistency. - How has Arsenal performed in set-pieces this season?
They have scored nine goals from corners, the highest in the Premier League. - What are Arsenal’s recent trophy struggles?
Arsenal finished as Premier League runners-up twice and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United this season. - What did Rice say about Mikel Arteta?
Rice praised Arteta for his exceptional leadership and tactical support. - How many set-piece goals has Rice assisted?
Rice has assisted two goals from corner situations during Bukayo Saka’s absence.
