Declan Rice has expressed his opinion that, as the season goes on, Arsenal will remain a strong contender for the top prize.
In order to regenerate before the pivotal last stage of the title chase and the Champions League knockout stages, the Gunners have started a week-long warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Given the injury issues the squad has encountered, Mikel Arteta is hoping for a similar boost this time around, as this strategy paid off last season when Arsenal went on a winning streak.
The Gunners have guaranteed a place in the Champions League’s round of 16, even though they are six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a match against Everton on Wednesday. However, Arsenal’s season has been tainted by their eliminations from the FA Cup third round and the Carabao Cup semifinals.
“There’s still a really long way to go,” Rice said in an interview with Sky Sports, expressing confidence in Arsenal’s ability to close the gap with Liverpool. During a news conference the other week, the manager stated that we should only be concerned about ourselves.
“But we’ll be there at the conclusion of the season. Only by sticking to our convictions, working on our current projects, and having complete faith in the manager, the players, and everyone else around us will we be able to accomplish great things. We are responsible for getting that over the finish line. There will be big things soon. We must maintain our optimism and press on.
As the club overcomes the difficulties caused by the injuries to important players Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, Rice has become the driving force behind their lofty objectives. Rice stands out, though, not only for his skill but also for his remarkable fortitude; he stays at the top of his game in a sport that requires it.
Since August 2022, no defender in the Premier League has played more than Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool. Rice attributes his resilience to his strict regimen and commitment: “It all comes down to how I’ve trained, how I’ve played the game, and how committed I have been to it. I’ve already played hundreds of games at the age of 26.
However, I want to continue aiming higher, obtaining more games, and being accessible. Missing games and sitting on the bench are something I don’t want. I want to take advantage of every chance to be there. I’ll be overjoyed if I can maintain that throughout the upcoming games and beyond.
“There’s a lot on your mind, but how much you want something is what matters when you’re competing for it at the top of the game. We want to do some very great things this year, so that’s why I keep going, and I know my teammates do the same.”
