Declan Rice has sent a defiant message to Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s monumental Premier League clash, insisting Arsenal are heading to the Etihad with a winning mentality, not a damage limitation exercise.
The Gunners midfielder knows what is at stake. Six points clear. A game in hand for City. A slip up in Manchester and the title race flips on its head.
But Rice is not interested in playing for a draw.
‘We want to win every game’
Speaking after Arsenal’s Champions League progression, a goalless draw at home to Sporting CP enough to secure a semi final spot, Rice made his position clear.
“Of course, you have to win every game, we want to win every game in the Premier League,” he told TNT Sports.
“Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It’s why we play the game. It’s a game of football at the end of the day. [It’s about] how much you want it, so I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go.”
No caution. No conservatism. Just a statement of intent.
‘Who cares what people think?’
Arsenal’s progression to the Champions League semi finals was not pretty. A goalless draw at the Emirates. A late winner in Lisbon. But Rice does not care about the style points.
“Frustrating? No… we’ve just got to another semi final,” he said. “Who cares what people think. All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks and we’re in another semi final.”
That is the mentality Arsenal have been building. Substance over style. Results over rhetoric.
Now they need to prove it on the biggest stage.
Saka concern lingers
While Rice is firing, Mikel Arteta is sweating. Bukayo Saka is battling an Achilles issue and is a major doubt for Sunday.
“It’s something that he was carrying for a while,” Arteta admitted. “It’s progression but hopefully it’s going to be a matter of days and not weeks. But he has to see when the load is more how he responds.”
Saka’s absence has already coincided with a dip in domestic form, including a costly 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth that allowed City to close the gap.
If he misses the Etihad, Arsenal lose their talisman. Their outlet. Their penalty box presence.
The stakes
The numbers are simple. Arsenal lead by six points. City have a game in hand. If the Gunners lose on Sunday, the gap shrinks to three points with a game in hand for City. Momentum shifts. Pressure builds.
If they win? The title is theirs to throw away.
Rice is not thinking about the permutations. He is thinking about the performance.
“Like being at any other top club, there’s noise with everything,” he said. “This is Arsenal football club, there’s noise with every game. If you don’t play well… take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving.
“Bring on the last few weeks. Nobody’s going to hand you anything in this game. Let’s keep going and what will be will be. Let’s keep going strong.”
The bottom line
Declan Rice is ready. Arsenal are ready. The question is whether they can handle the Etihad cauldron.
Manchester City have been here before. They know how to win title deciders. They know how to handle pressure.
Arsenal are learning. Sunday will tell us how far they have come.
Rice has fired the warning shot. Now he has to back it up.
