Declan Rice spoke just hours after Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions, revealing his thoughts on a pivotal moment in the title race with Manchester City
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice revealed that he knew Arsenal were going to secure the Premier League title following the loss against Man City. The England man had a FaceTime call with Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell just a matter of hours after being confirmed as champions.
That happened thanks to a 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester City on Tuesday night. The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration among the Arsenal squad, who gathered to watch the game at the training ground.
It’s been a season with twists and turns, with City seemingly taking control of the race when they beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium just last month. However, a 3-3 draw against Everton put Arsenal’s fate back into their own hands.
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Arsenal took advantage by winning every Premier League game since the loss against City.
Co-presenter Steve Sidwell FaceTimed Rice on that Peter Crouch Podcast, the day after the title win, with the Arsenal midfielder answering the call.
“I’m going to play nine holes now, I’m sat at home thinking I’ve got to go out, I’ve got to go and play some golf,” he said.
When asked if he had been to bed, he said: “I went to bed for a few hours but that’s it. I can’t believe it, it don’t feel real.
“Honestly it’s not sunk in, it won’t sink in for ages, but yeah, incredible.”
He was then asked how he felt. “It’s mad because when you’re in a season all you think is obviously with all the small narrow losses we’ve had throughout the last few years,” he said.
“You just think it cannot happen again, and after leading for such a long way, it’s obviously in the back of your mind, with then obviously how good City have been, and how good they are we think bloody hell.
“But we knew once we lost at Man City away, we knew still like, we took so much from that day, we were like ‘we’re still going to do it, we still believe,’ so we’re just buzzing, we’re just buzzing.”
Celebrations will continue for Arsenal this weekend. They will pick up the Premier League trophy following the final game of the season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.
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