Declan Rice believes Arsenal need to maintain “point of view” over their position in the Premier League, but admits they need to get back to winning ways soon to silence their critics.
The Gunners have been under increasing pressure this week after abandoning a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with bottom-of-the-Premier League side Wolves.
The gap with Manchester City has been reduced to five points and Josep Guardiola’s side have games in hand, including a home match against Arsenal in April.
This has led some to question whether Mikel Arteta’s side, who have fallen short in recent seasons, will be able to maintain their top spot and win their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Asked whether that oversight could have had an impact, Rice exclusively told Sky Sports:
“We’re on our own journey, we’re on our own path and we believe in each other completely. We want to do it. We can do it now because we have a very good core group, very quality players. It shows that we can turn the page in terms of people talking about that mentality.”
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Free to watch: Arsenal vs Wolves draw highlights
“One of the things that stuck with me after the Manchester United game was that the manager looked at the position we had earned ourselves and we have to enjoy this.
“And we are enjoying every day. Of course you are too. This is our job. We are playing Arsenal, we are in the final of the (Carabao) Cup, the next round of the FA Cup, the Champions League (last 16) and first place in the Premier League.”
“We need some perspective on where we are, but we also need to look a little bit wider to understand that if we keep doing what we’re doing in terms of results, it’s not going to last.
“It’s up to us as players to pick that up, because we have the ability to win every game. I truly believe with this group, with what we’ve done here so far, we can go ahead and win games easily.”
“But that’s on us. We have to switch on. We’re going to be ready for everything that’s going to be thrown at us, because that’s what we need for these last games.”
“It was disgusting and very disappointing for them (Wolves) to come back and tie it 2-2,” Rice added of missing out on a two-goal advantage.
“We just got away with the fundamentals and ended up playing the game they wanted to play because you swing both ways in a football game.
“After (Wolves’ first) goal, we couldn’t get a foothold into the game. It was disappointing because we thought we would get away with it at 2-0.”
Rice reveals locker room conversation after Wolves draw
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Paul Merson is ‘worried’ about Mikel Arteta’s post-match interview after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Wolves
Rice also provided an insight into what Arsenal’s dressing room was like after Wednesday’s draw at Molineux, suggesting some of the truth at home may have been shared among the players.
He said, “We often see people talk about, ‘What will it be like in the locker room? What will the players say to each other?'”
“Trust me, if you were there last night, you know how much it meant to us (as players). That’s the level we need to get to, because if we want to win things, we need to be able to make demands of each other and say the truth in the moment.”
“It’s been done to me, other players have had it done to them, and it’s just part of trying to build a winning culture.
“That’s where the manager comes in, because he always sees things from a different angle and is a very level-headed person.
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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must move on from draw with Wolves and ‘write the next chapter’ in north London derby
“From the moment I joined to where we are now, we have seen a huge difference in terms of what happens after the game and the mentality of the players that if things are not right it will cause problems.
“Even if it gets heated, things will be said in the moment, but then five or 10 minutes later it’s over with a handshake and that’s the problem.
“I think we needed the game the other day because at 2-0 we should have won the game. We know the position we’re in. It was disappointing (against Wolves) and it wasn’t good, but we’re here now and ready to go against Spurs.”
Rice reaches PL century at Arsenal this weekend
There’s little need to distinguish the North London derby as a special match, but midfielder Rice will remember Sunday’s match, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as the one that marked his 100th Premier League appearance for Arsenal.
Reflecting on his time with the Gunners so far, he said: “I’ve tried to work as hard as I can and give everything I’ve got. I watched a podcast with Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand last week and he was talking about himself as a midfielder.”
Sunday, February 22nd 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
“He didn’t discount him just because of that one thing. He said he was a midfielder who could do a little bit of everything, but he was the best at doing it all. He’s someone I look up to because of the way he was on the pitch, his attitude, the way he won games by the scruff of his neck, the fight he showed, his passion.”
“Over the years, I’ve tried to watch him as much as I can, and I think I’ve started to grow into that as well. I’m still a long way from reaching his level, but since I moved into this box-to-box role, he’s been someone I’ve been trying to emulate and that’s really helped me.”
“100 games in the Premier League is special for Arsenal… but there’s so much more to me. This season has been great and there’s still a lot of football to play, but I think I can still go to a higher level.”
Watch Spurs vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4pm on Sunday. Kickoff 4:30pm.
