Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted that he sensed the Gunners would clinch the Premier League crown following their defeat to Manchester City. The England international spoke on FaceTime with Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell just hours after the title was mathematically secured.
The title was confirmed after Bournemouth held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among Arsenal players, who had gathered at the training ground to watch the match unfold.
It has been a season full of drama and uncertainty, with City appearing to take control of the race when they defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last month. However, a 3-3 draw against Everton handed Arsenal their destiny back, and they capitalised by winning every Premier League fixture since that setback.
Rice's Reaction to Title Win
Speaking on the Peter Crouch Podcast, Rice said: "I'm going to play nine holes now, I'm sat at home thinking I've got to go out, I've got to go and play some golf." When asked if he had slept, he replied: "I went to bed for a few hours but that's it. I can't believe it, it don't feel real. Honestly it's not sunk in, it won't sink in for ages, but yeah, incredible."
Reflecting on the season, Rice added: "It's mad because when you're in a season all you think is obviously with all the small narrow losses we've had throughout the last few years. You just think it cannot happen again, and after leading for such a long way, it's obviously in the back of your mind, with then obviously how good City have been, and how good they are we think bloody hell."
"But we knew once we lost at Man City away, we knew still like, we took so much from that day, we were like 'we're still going to do it, we still believe,' so we're just buzzing, we're just buzzing."
Celebrations Ahead
The celebrations will continue for Arsenal this weekend, as they are set to lift the Premier League trophy after their final match of the campaign against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.
