Declan Rice has issued a powerful rallying cry to his Arsenal colleagues following a firm team debrief in the aftermath of their frustrating draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Gunners' midfielder emphasised that the Premier League title will not be handed to them, insisting they must fight to deserve it as pressure mounts at the summit.
Arsenal's Title Hopes Under Scrutiny
Arsenal surrendered a two-goal advantage at Molineux on Wednesday evening, with the league's bottom side scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 94th minute. This result extends a concerning run of just two victories in their last seven matches, allowing Manchester City to close the gap at the top. The north London club, having finished second in three consecutive seasons, now faces intensified scrutiny as they seek to finally secure the championship.
Rice's Frank Assessment
In an interview with The Sun, Rice delivered a candid message to his teammates. "We're not going to be handed it, we need to go and win it, we need to deserve it and we need to be ready for anything that is thrown at us," he declared. The England international revealed that the squad held honest discussions after the Wolves match, acknowledging they had let themselves and their supporters down.
"We spoke to each other in a firm way after Wolves, we knew we'd let ourselves and the fans down after being in such a good position," Rice explained. "Letting it slip is not the standards that we have set ourselves this season. We had a team meeting and we are ready to go again."
Managerial Support and Fan Unity
Despite the disappointing performance, manager Mikel Arteta honoured the players' scheduled day off on Thursday. Rice stressed the importance of collective unity during the crucial final months of the campaign, calling for unwavering support from the Arsenal faithful.
"At this stage of the season we need the supporters with us more than ever," he urged. "We've come this far together. Now is not the time to be turning against each other. We need everyone on the same page, same path, keep fighting for these players, for this club."
Challenges Ahead
Manchester City, who have relentlessly pursued Arsenal in recent seasons, could narrow the gap to just two points if they win their game in hand. The two title contenders are set to meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 18, with an additional Carabao Cup final clash scheduled for next month at Wembley Stadium.
Rice remains optimistic despite the setbacks, highlighting the broader context of Arsenal's season. "There is a long way to go, there's still a lot to be positive about, there's perspective here," he noted. "We're still having an amazing season and we can't let any outside noise disturb that."
The midfielder's message underscores a determined mindset within the Arsenal camp as they prepare for pivotal fixtures that will ultimately define their championship aspirations.
