Declan Rice unintentionally “misspoke” following a crucial win, fueling rumors about Arsenal’s growing determination to claim the Premier League title this season.
Declan Rice found himself “embarrassed” after a slip of the tongue regarding Arsenal’s Premier League title race, although the English midfielder quickly corrected himself on the day the “Gunners” secured a place in the Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal recently defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, securing their spot in the final at Wembley next month with a 4-2 aggregate score. Kai Havertz’s lone goal ended the team’s six-year absence from a domestic final.
While analyzing the match live on CBS Sports, Declan Rice unexpectedly “stumbled” when mentioning Arsenal’s advantage, nearly giving the impression that the Premier League title was already secured by the Emirates side. The English star immediately realized his mistake and laughed it off: “We went into the game with the advantage in… oh no, I mean the advantage in the tie. My mistake.”
Although just a brief moment, this comment quickly attracted attention, especially as Arsenal currently holds a significant lead in the Premier League title race. After rivals like Manchester City and Aston Villa slipped up, the “Gunners” have established a 6-point lead in the standings.
Speaking after the Chelsea win, Rice emphasized that spirit and desire were key factors helping Arsenal overcome a strong opponent: “We told each other before the game that it’s just one step away from Wembley. It’s not always about playing beautifully; sometimes victory comes from heart, determination, and ambition.”
The midfielder born in 1999 also admitted that the congested schedule is wearing down the team’s stamina: “Honestly exhausted. The schedule is really tough, especially facing a star-studded team like Chelsea. But everything we’ve built over the past few years is starting to come together this season.”
The win over Chelsea not only put Arsenal into the Carabao Cup final but also boosted Arteta’s squad confidence as they continue competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. With consistent form and high spirits, Arsenal stands a great chance to finish the season with major trophies.