Arsenal’s midfield maestro Declan Rice has explained that his team-mates “can’t believe” they failed to win the title last season having had an eight-point lead in early April.
The Gunners topped the Premier League table for the overwhelming majority of last season, but as the campaign’s business end crept closer Arsenal started to show frailties.
Three successive draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton put a huge dent in their hopes before defeats by the likes of Brighton and Nottingham Forest handed the crown to Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta‘s side were the subject of ridicule from opposition fans over the fact that Arsenal boasted an eight-point lead at the top in early April, only to throw it away on the final furlong. Rice wasn’t actually a Gunners player at that point, instead, he was in east London captaining West Ham.
Declan Rice assessment on Arsenal dressing room
Declan Rice has shed light on how Arsenal’s squad look back on last season’s title collapse as they gear up for another title tilt this term.
However, having been bought for an eye-watering £105million fee in the summer, Rice has now established himself as one of Arsenal’s best players and has gained an insight into how his new team-mates feel when reflecting on last season’s effort.
Speaking at the London Football Awards to Sky Sports, Rice explained: “I think last year, Arsenal were the best team in the league. They slipped up at the end and obviously, City always come on so strong. I think the word that they said now is that they can’t believe they lost the league obviously eight points ahead.”
The 25-year-old went on to highlight how Arsenal have aimed to improve from last season. He added: “This year, I feel everyone including the manager and the staff, everyone’s learned from their mistakes.
“Everyone’s stronger, they have more belief. If we go a goal down, there’s still that confidence and mental strength in us that we can push on and win games.
“Like I said, the league is so strong this year and anything can happen and there are 12 games to go. The main thing is, we’re right in it. Because at Christmas we had a little wobble, we lost two games on the bounce which wasn’t good.”
As Rice mentioned, the Gunners are firmly in the title race with 12 games to go. Arteta’s side are currently sat two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, as well as one point behind second-placed Manchester City.
March could prove to be a defining month in the title race, with the Gunners making the trip to the Etihad, but not before City take on Liverpool at Anfield. Both of Arsenal’s title rivals also have local derbies to contest, if results go the way of Arteta’s side they could be sitting top at the start of April once again.
