Declan Rice says Arsenal will remain in the thick of the battle for top honours right until the end of the season.
The Gunners have jetted off for a week-long warm-weather training camp in Dubai to revitalise themselves ahead of the final stretch of the title race and the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
This strategy proved successful last term, with Arsenal finding their stride in winning form, and Mikel Arteta is banking on it to deliver once more during a campaign marred by injury woes.
Arsenal, trailing six points behind table-toppers Liverpool – who still have a game in hand against Everton on Wednesday night – are also through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
However, the north Londoners suffered a significant blow after being ousted from the Carabao Cup semi-finals after also crashing out of the FA Cup in the third round.
Rice is confident that Arsenal can close the gap on Liverpool and told Sky Sports: “There’s still a really long way to go. The manager said in a press conference the other week, no matter what, the only thing we can worry about is ourselves.
“But at the end of the season, we will be there. We can only keep believing in what we believe in, work on what we’re working on and have full trust in the manager, players and everyone around us that we can achieve great things.
“It’s down to us to get that over the line. Big things are coming. We need to stay positive and keep going.”
Rice has become the driving force behind Arsenal‘s lofty aspirations, even as they face a significant setback with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli out due to injuries.
But Rice’s contributions go beyond his remarkable ability to maintain fitness amidst the rigours of competitive football – only Liverpool‘s stalwart Virgil van Dijk has clocked more minutes since August 2022 amongst the Premier League’s defensive players.
Rice attributes this ironman streak to meticulous preparation and an unwavering commitment: “It’s just been down to the way I’ve played the game, the way I’ve trained and the way I’ve dedicated myself to the game. I’m 26 and played hundreds of games already.
“But I want to keep pushing for more, getting more games, wanting to be available. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench, I don’t want to miss out on games.
“I want to be there at every available opportunity. If I can keep that going for the next games and the games beyond, I’ll be very happy.
“There’s a lot in the mind but when you’re competing for stuff at the top end of the game, it’s about how much you want it. That’s why I keep myself going and I know it’s the same for my team-mates, because this year we want to achieve some really good things.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk