Rice urges Arsenal to improve for City clash

Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to improve ahead of their crucial clash with Manchester City, according to The Guardian - Football. The midfielder acknowledged that the team must perform better to maintain their title push. Arsenal currently lead the Premier League by six points over City, though they have played one more match, according to multiple reports. Manager Mikel Arteta described the run-in as a 'new league' and said everything is still to play for, as reported by major media.

Arsenal's recent form has been patchy, with the team scoring only three times in their last five games, according to multiple reports. In their 1-0 win over Brighton, Arsenal had lower possession and fewer shots than their opponents, according to research. Rice noted that teams often defend with a 5-4-1 formation against Arsenal, making it difficult to create chances, as he told Daily Mirror - Football. He added that the Brighton victory felt extra special because Arsenal did not play well but won at a difficult venue, according to www.tribalfootball.com.

Arsenal have excelled from set-pieces, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League this season, five more than any other side. Rice claimed that critics of Arsenal's set-piece goals are jealous because they cannot copy their success, according to Daily Express - Sport. He also stated that criticism of their set-piece reliance is confusing, as other teams use them but not to the same level, according to www.si.com. Rice acknowledged that such criticism is part of being at the club and that winning is most important, according to www.tribalfootball.com.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said modern soccer is 'not a pleasure' to watch due to excess physicality in the box. Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel agreed, describing the penalty box on corner kicks as a 'zoo', according to www.si.com. Tel also said the Premier League is less exciting and more structured, with fewer individual moments of skill, according to the same source. However, Wayne Rooney defended Arsenal's approach, saying they should use set-pieces even more, according to www.si.com.

Rice has taken on a leadership role this season, with Arteta allowing players more ownership and responsibility, according to paininthearsenal.com. Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes Rice is a 'really important' leader who can help the club win silverware, according to The Independent - Main. Pep Guardiola admired Rice's 'it's not done' comment, saying it showed Arsenal's robust mentality. However, Gary Neville and Roy Keane disagreed with Guardiola's positive assessment, according to multiple reports.

Arsenal are the only English team in the Champions League semi-finals, according to multiple reports. After advancing, Rice said 'who cares what people think', according to Daily Mirror - Football. The team's mentality has been a key factor in their success this season.

Alan Shearer believes Rice may need a serious silverware haul to beat Bruno Fernandes to the player of the season award, according to multiple reports. Fernandes has eight goals and 16 assists in 28 games this season. Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for around £100 million, according to multiple reports. Steven Gerrard called Rice 'one of the best players in the world' and praised his move to Arsenal, according to Fotbolltransfers.

Uncertainties remain over Arsenal's exact points lead, as some reports suggest they are nine points ahead with City having a game in hand. The number of losses in recent games is also unclear, with conflicting reports on whether Arsenal have lost three of their last four or simply scored few goals. Whether Rice's leadership and set-piece prowess will be enough to secure the title remains to be seen.