Rice warns Arsenal amid mounting pressure in a thrilling title race

Declan Rice calls on Arsenal to disregard distractions and maintain calm following the Brentford draw, with the lead over Man City shrinking, making the Premier League title race even more intense.

Midfielder Declan Rice appealed to his Arsenal teammates to block out external distractions, remain calm, and stay fully focused after the Gunners missed the chance to extend their lead in the Premier League title race by drawing 1-1 at Brentford.

At Gtech Community Stadium, Arsenal came close to gaining a significant advantage when Noni Madueke headed in the opener at the 61st minute. However, Keane Lewis-Potter equalized just ten minutes later, leaving the London club only four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. With Man City continuing to win, what could have been a nine-point lead has now shrunk considerably, adding tension to the title race.

After the match, Rice acknowledged the harsh reality of a long and unpredictable season: “You can’t keep performing at your peak for 70 matches. The key is to focus on the small details and fundamentals. This season is like a rollercoaster; you can’t naively expect things to be easy.”

The English midfielder emphasized that Arsenal must concentrate on what they can control rather than letting outside chatter affect the team’s morale. “We have to shut out the external noise. People will talk about the title race, but inside our dressing room, there is calm.”

Rice also showed respect for Brentford, a team having an impressive season: “I don’t see them as an easy opponent. They are one of the strongest teams in the league right now. A point is an acceptable result over a long campaign, but of course, we want to take all three points.”

Arsenal are determined to end three consecutive seasons finishing second and aim for their first domestic title since 2004. However, with only two wins in their last six matches, Mikel Arteta’s squad understands there is little room for error if they want to maintain their top position.