Midfielder Highlights Team’s Character After Hard-Fought Victory

Declan Rice believes Arsenal sent a strong message in the Premier League title race following their gritty 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday night. The Gunners were forced to play the final 23 minutes of the match with ten men after Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off for two bookable offences. Despite the disadvantage, Arsenal held firm against a relentless Palace attack, with Martin Ødegaard’s 53rd-minute penalty proving enough for all three points.

Rice, who was instrumental in Arsenal’s midfield, acknowledged the tough challenge of playing away at Selhurst Park, especially with a man down. He told Sky Sports: “When you’re on that pitch and you look up at the clock and you’ve got 20 minutes to go against this young and athletic Crystal Palace side, you know it’s going to be tough. But these are the places you’ve got to come if you want to win Premier Leagues and be up there at the end of the season. These are the places you’ve got to come to show character, and grind out the three points. I thought we thoroughly deserved it in the end.”

Despite the win, Rice remains grounded when talking about Arsenal’s title hopes. The £105 million summer signing from West Ham emphasized the importance of taking each match as it comes and not getting carried away by early victories. “We can’t get carried away, we’re only two games in,” Rice said. “It’s about momentum, taking each game as it comes, coming to places like Palace and getting three points. We’ve got a tough schedule coming up after September. We’re going to be ready for it.”

Reflecting on his own transition, Rice expressed how he’s relishing the opportunity to raise his game with the Gunners. “Last year there was big pressure on Arsenal to win the Premier League and that’s why I signed. I believe in the vision, I believe in the manager, I believe in the team, how young and hungry we all are. Manchester City are the best team in the world at the minute and they’re tough to stop but it’s a great challenge ahead. Let’s keep fighting, keep pushing and take each game as it comes.”

Rice also spoke about his personal motivation following his high-profile move: “I was on the way to the game tonight and I just thought, ‘Go out there and have it tonight, just go out there and try to put on a show’. Even in the warm-up I just felt an energy to try to go out and perform, I was really up for it to be honest. Only two games in obviously, there’s so much talk about the price tag and I want to keep proving people wrong, proving I can play at the top, and keep putting in top performances. I keep my feet on the ground, keep listening to people around me and keep pushing.”