Key Takeaways
- Declan Rice says Arsenal must sharpen passing and confidence before Sunday’s summit meeting at Manchester City.
- Arsenal have netted only three goals in their last five matches and Rice admits deep-defending sides are stifling them.
- The midfielder, recently bed-bound with illness, vows to push through because the Gunners still miss injured stars Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurriën Timber.
Declan Rice has told his Arsenal mates they cannot hide from recent flaws when they visit Manchester City this weekend.
Speaking after the mid-week stalemate that sent the Londoners into the Champions League last four, the England anchor accepted the side’s form has dipped. “We’ve been sloppy with five- and ten-yard balls,” he said. “We need to relax on the pitch and trust ourselves again.”
Arsenal sit six points ahead of City, although Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand. Rice knows the table will tighten if Arsenal repeat the limp showings that brought cup exits at Southampton and a shock home defeat to Bournemouth.
“Sunday is why you join a club like this,” he added. “We watched City lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley and it hurt. Going to the Etihad and winning would be a huge statement.”
The 27-year-old, who lost two days to a stomach bug before facing Sporting CP, believes opponents are now using ultra-deep blocks to frustrate the league leaders. “We’re seeing five at the back almost every week,” he noted. “Breaking that down is our puzzle, but City won’t camp in their own box. The space will be there and we must use it.”
Rice also underlined the importance of getting wounded trio Ødegaard, Saka and Timber back as soon as possible. “They’re difference-makers,” he said. “Until then, the rest of us have to dig in, even at 70 per cent.”
Kick-off on Sunday is set for 5:30 p.m. Kenyan time, with the title race poised on a knife-edge.