Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has played a key role in his team’s Premier League title win this season and could yet help them make it a sensational double with the Champions League final still to come
Arsenal star Declan Rice has hit out at those accusing him of acting in front of the cameras to rouse his teammates after their defeat at Manchester City in April. The midfielder was caught on Sky Sports cameras declaring “it’s not done” after the 2-1 defeat on April 19.
It was widely believed at the time that City would go on to lift the Premier League title after that victory at the Etihad Stadium. However, the Gunners went on to win their next four league matches while the Sky Blues dropped points against Everton and Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points on Tuesday night in a 1-1 draw on the South Coast. Eli Junior Kroupi scored the goal to dash the dreams of Guardiola and his team at the Vitality Stadium.
That result guaranteed Arsenal a first league title since 2004, with wild celebrations in north London after the game. England international Rice has now been speaking to Arsenal’s in-house media – reflecting on the viral moment involving him at the Etihad last month.
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He said: “That’s the mad thing. It’s like ‘oh he’s saying it for the cameras’… bro there’s 100 cameras! I didn’t know I’m getting recorded saying that… but it’s worked out.”
Arsenal have ended 22 years of hurt after three successive runners-up finishes – and could make it a double with the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain to come.
Mikel Arteta’s team will lift the Premier League trophy at Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the Gunners likely to rest several stars ahead of their European final against PSG on May 30.
Arteta has shared his joy on how he felt after the result on Tuesday. Speaking in a press conference, the Spaniard said: “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I was supposed to be here, at Sobha, watching the game with the boys and the staff, because that’s what they wanted, but I couldn’t.
“I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave. I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted and I think it was the moment as well to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be.
“I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build a fire and do some barbecue, so I didn’t watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.
“My oldest son opened the garden door. He started to run towards me, started to cry, gave me a hug and said: ‘We are champions, daddy.’ Then my other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful.
“Just to see that joy on them as well, that they are always with me, it was magical. A minute later, Martin [Odegaard] was on the video: ‘Where are you,’ he said, ‘Come over.’ I said enjoy it for a while and see you in a few hours somewhere in London.”
