'Slipped up' - Declan Rice reveals Arsenal squad's brutally-honest reaction to missing out on Premier League title to Manchester City

Rice's summer acquisition has contributed to the Gunners' improved performances this time out. After leading the league for most of the previous season before faltering in the last two months of play. Rice now asserts that his team is better prepared to try and win a first championship since 2004 because they have learnt from the mistakes they made in the previous campaign.

Speaking at the London Football Awards, Rice said [via The Mirror]: "I think last year, Arsenal were the best team in the league. They slipped up at the end and obviously, City always come on so strong. I think the word that they said now is that they can't believe they lost the league obviously eight points ahead."

He added: "This year, I feel everyone including the manager and the staff, everyone’s learned from their mistakes. Everyone’s stronger, they have more belief. If we go a goal down, there’s still that confidence and mental strength in us that we can push on and win games.

"Like I said, the league is so strong this year and anything can happen and there are 12 games to go. The main thing is, we’re right in it. Because at Christmas we had a little wobble, we lost two games on the bounce which wasn’t good."

Mikel Arteta's team has been dominant in 2024, with the highest defence and goal differential in the league, despite a concerning decline in performance in December. With 12 games remaining, the Gunners are well-positioned in the title chase. Arteta's side are one point behind second-place Manchester City and two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

With the Gunners visiting the Etihad, March may prove to be a pivotal month in the title fight. However, first, City must meet Liverpool at Anfield. Arsenal's two competitors for top spot also have local derbies to fight in; if Arteta's team wins, they might be leading the pack at the beginning of April.