248 days at the top of the table! That’s a number no Arsenal fam is likely to forget anytime soon. The Gunners set a ‘regrettable’ record for spending the most number of days atop the Premier League, while also failing to win the whole thing. Arsenal’s most expensive signing in their history, Declan Rice recently revealed his take after Arsenal missed out on the title to Pep Guardiola‘s men last season.
The £105 million man provided some insight into the state of affairs at the club following the heartbreaking finish to last season’s Premier League title race. Speaking at the London Football Awards, Rice did not hesitate to claim that Arsenal were the better team than City in the league last season. Soon afterwards, the Englishman joined Arsenal on a record fee and has now established himself as one of Mikel Arteta‘s best players in the starting line-up.
I think last year, Arsenal were the best team in the league. They slipped up at the end and City always come so strong. They couldn't believe that they lost the league obviously after being eight points ahead. Rice said at the London Football Awards
Subsequently, Rice claimed that the side had learnt from last seasons mistakes and that everyone is ‘stronger’.
He added that the confidence and mental strength is high and that the club are “right in it“. Arsenal are currently third in the league table and just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.
In it to win it? Will Arsenal right their wrongs to finally lift the Premier League title?
The Premier League has entered the business end as three teams have ‘announced’ their intention to claim the coveted trophy. Liverpool are leading the race with 60 points in 26 games. Defending champions City are a point behind with 59 while Arsenal are on 58 points. As fans get ready to witness a three horse race, Arsenal fans are thrilled at the prospect of Mikel Arteta leading the club to the ‘promised land’.
A long list of players returning from injury only boosts Arsenal’s hopes of going all in for the final set of games this season. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game against Sheffield United, Arteta said:
We don't know what's going to happen and we're going to have a lot of games. The scenario is on our side and how we are when chasing games is going to be critical in this period.
Arsenal are in for a tough run of games in March, with fixtures against Man City, Porto and Brentford. The following set of games have the potential to define Arteta’s fifth ‘full’ season at the club. In addition to a potential comeback against Porto, fans are expecting good things from the manager. With Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko all zet to return from injury, hopes at the club will be sky high.
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