Declan Rice has picked out three players who made a difference in ‘crucial’ meetings throughout the season.
Declan Rice has singled out Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze for stepping up and delivering inspiring speeches at crucial Arsenal team meetings this season.
The Gunners lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years on Sunday afternoon, following the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The celebrations started on Tuesday night when Arsenal were confirmed as champions.
They saw off competition from Manchester City, with some twists and turns along the way. After the disappointment of finishing second in each of the last few years, Rice has credited some honest conversations between the players as the difference this time around.
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“There were a couple of crucial meetings that took place as players, as a group, without any of the staff, just players,” he told Sky Sports after the trophy lift. “We just spoke openly about how we feel and what’s achievable.
“After Wolves was one of them, going into the Spurs game that was, I think that was probably the most crucial one, just because we said ‘if we’re going to win, let’s enjoy winning, winning in a good way, let’s not feel pressure all of the time.’
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“Because we got so far, playing so well, and we were in all competitions at that stage still, and everything just felt so good, but there was also a bit of a negative still, you could just sense it, we were like ‘let’s just relax a little bit.’
“I think from that moment, everyone just calmed down and just felt free. I think that was the turning point.”
When asked by Ian Wright if there was anyone in the meeting who stood out, Rice said: “I know one player – Norgaard said some really good words, Martin [Odegaard] as well, when he started it off, and also Eze, he ended it with some really nice and strong messages.
“Because he’s such a calm guy, you see how he plays on the pitch, that’s how he is off the pitch, and he just calmed everyone, and it was really nice.
“I think that’s another thing, this season, there’s been a lot of people who have stepped up behind the scenes.
“No one would think they’re leaders, but they’re really talkative within the group and push people in quiet one-to-ones, so it’s been a real group effort this season, it’s been really good.”
It could get even better for Arsenal this season, with the Champions League final on the horizon. Mikel Arteta’s side take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Puskas Arena on Saturday afternoon.
