Rice: Arsenal are focused on staying top until the end

Rice: Arsenal are focused on staying top until the end

 Declan Rice insisted Arsenal are ready to fight to the end at the top of the Premier League after reclaiming the lead from Manchester City. Eberechi Eze's ninth-minute goal was enough to secure a crucial 1-0 victory for the Gunners over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, ending City's three-day reign at the top of the table on Saturday.

Arsenal are now three points clear of their rivals – having played one more game – and can extend their lead when they host Fulham at the Emirates next weekend, while Pep Guardiola's side play Everton on Monday, May 4. The Gunners then face West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace as they pursue their first league title in 22 years.

Despite City being allowed back into the title race, Rice said the atmosphere in the Arsenal camp is very positive: “That’s been our attitude all season and that’s what we want to be at the end of the season – to stay top, to stay positive. There are four games left and that’s what we want to do, keep winning games and we’ll be ready for that. The three points against Newcastle were massive. After the week we had against Manchester City, we knew that with five games left we had to win them all. To achieve that was a real boost, so we’re very happy with the win.” Before the home game against Fulham, Arsenal will travel to Spain for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Arsenal, who last appeared in a Champions League final in 2026, have never won the title, but Rice added: “We’ve played in tough games at the highest level for the last three or four years, so we know what to expect. We’re in the Champions League semi-finals, so let’s take this opportunity, enjoy it, and prepare for it. Honestly, you don’t think about it too much because you can’t think ahead when you have games like the one against Newcastle. Obviously, now I can focus on Atletico, but you can’t get too caught up in what’s coming next; it takes away too much energy. You have to focus on what we can control in the next game. Right now, we’re focused on Atletico. We have to keep going and be ready for what’s coming next.”

Arsenal will be concerned about Eze's fitness for the trip to the Spanish capital after he was unable to complete the match against Newcastle. Eze took his tally for the season to 11 goals with his early strike at the Emirates Stadium, and Rice continued: "That's what he was brought in for. I said a few weeks ago, his finishing is unbelievable. What a player, what a person, and he'll be crucial for us in the next few weeks. We really need him."