Declan Rice backs 'unbelievable' Mikel Arteta as Arsenal eye Premier League title, pressure 'cranked up' against Spurs
Published 14/01/2025 at 15:59 GMT
Arsenal's Declan Rice has said it's "down to us now" to finally win some long-awaited silverware after Mikel Arteta's side had "come up short" in the previous two seasons. The Gunners are second in the Premier League and host north London rivals Spurs in what could be a pivotal encounter at the Emirates on Wednesday night, with the match shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Arteta accepts Arsenal have ‘limitations’ but feels January window difficult to sign players
Video credit: SNTV
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has said it's "down to us now" to win trophies as Arsenal eye a long-awaited 14th Premier League title.
The Gunners have fallen off the pace in recent weeks, six points off high-flyers Liverpool in the league with Nottingham Forest hot on their heels and level on points.
The team have come close to lifting the trophy in the last two seasons but ultimately failed to challenge Manchester City, with Rice saying the team are "still in there" in the fight for the title this year.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Rice shared the secrets behind the team's set-piece prowess, the young players making a difference, and the special significance of the upcoming north London derby.
"It's been a good start [to the season]," he told TNT Sports. "Probably too many draws than what we would have expected, but we've still been really solid. Obviously we're missing some key players which has been tough, but we're still in there and we're still playing well.
"You have to be on it all the time. We know now, going into the second part of the season, anything can happen. We just need to keep winning football matches, focus on ourselves and hopefully we're there, so we've just got to keep going.
"Last two years we've been so close with the Premier League and come up short. The fans are really waiting for that one now and we really want to deliver it."
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'Down to us' to lift trophies
Mikel Arteta's men next face a pivotal clash with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, with the game shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Rice was quick to give credit to Arteta for the team's performances so far this season.
"The manager is unbelievable, he's given us everything he possibly can to go out there and win a football match," he said. "It's down to us now, we need to find something from within.
"The only thing missing is winning stuff with this squad so hopefully that's going to come."
As well as Arteta, Rice gave credit to some of the younger members of the Gunners' squad.
Academy products Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have made the step up to the first team this season and quickly become integral members of the squad. Rice told TNT Sports that he has taken on something of a mentor role for the youngsters.
"Myles and Ethan are so good for their age," the England international said. "When they train with us every day, they're at it, and other than being good footballers, they're such good kids as well.
"I've been in that position before, coming through the first team and looking up at the older players. The older lads used to take me under their wing and I think how I am as a person, I'm really close to them two, I spend a lot of time with them, speak to them all the time. They're proper good lads."
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Arteta accepts Arsenal have ‘limitations’ but feels January window difficult to sign players
Video credit: SNTV
Pressure 'cranked up by 100' in north London derby
Rice missed the last north London derby through suspension, when Arsenal won 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he will be available for the reverse fixture this week.
"Missing being involved in two or three north London derbies now, the suspense, that feeling before the game, knowing that you have to win," he said.
"With West Ham, it was [important against] any London club but with Arsenal [against] Spurs, it's another level, you feel it cranked up by 100. With it being at the Emirates, 8 o'clock kickoff under the lights, it's going to be amazing.
"The way the boys played [in the previous derby], obviously I was suspended, I think we had another two or three injuries - just the way the team adapted and the way we played, it was top. To win those games 1-0 away from home, and see how much it meant to the fans, they're the best moments.
"You can definitely feel the tension in the stadium, you can feel how much it means to the fans, I think to be involved in these games, how special these games, I can't wait for it."
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Arteta suggests errant finishing down to 'tricky' ball - 'Flies a lot'
Video credit: SNTV
Set-piece specialists
Arsenal may not have an out-and-out striker but they have enjoyed huge success from set-pieces this season, scoring 10 goals from them, and with other clubs frequently struggling to get a handle on their corner routine.
Bukayo Saka, who is currently out injured, and Rice have taken the lion's share of corners this season.
"I don't get a chance to practise it a lot, it's more now knowing my spot and knowing where I'm going to hit it," Rice said.
"I feel like every time I put the ball down now, I'm going to hit that spot. It all depends on the timing, if I've got a corner in the 90th minute I won't put the ball down, hand up and take it because it won't work. There has to be the whole process, the timing. I think that's why we've been so good, because of the repetition and knowing each other's roles inside out.
"Because we have so many games a month, we actually don't get a lot of time to work at it on the grass. It's more seeing it visually and speaking about it, but when we do get a chance, say, three games a month, we will work on it. It's been a strength of ours and we've scored some really good goals off it."
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