Liverpool face Arsenal on Sunday as the Premier League champions come up against the likely runners-up.
Before the season started, plenty had predicted this would finally be Arsenal’s year to come out as champions of England.
But after being blown away by Liverpool, the Gunners’ 21-year wait to lift the Premier League trophy goes on.
Why Arsenal came up so short has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks. Injuries have affected them, no doubt about that, but in the end they simply weren’t good enough.
Manager Mikel Arteta created headlines in midweek after claiming his team were the best in the Champions League this season despite being comfortably beaten in the semi-final by PSG.
And after hearing Arteta’s somewhat desperate claim, midfielder Declan Rice has now given his opinion on whether Liverpool were actually better than Arsenal over the course of the Premier League campaign.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Declan Rice admits Liverpool superiority
Looking at the Premier League table, it is impossible to surmise that any team other than Liverpool were the best in the country this season.
The Reds are 15 points ahead of Arsenal, have scored 14 more goals than anyone else and their tally of 35 conceded is only bettered by the 31 the Gunners have let in.
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Thankfully, this is something Rice has now recognised. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool vs Arsenal on Sunday, the England midfielder credited Arne Slot’s team for being the best in the division.
“We’ve obviously seen what they’ve done, massive credit to them, they’ve been the most consistent team throughout the season, performed to a really high standard and ability,” he said.
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“Cannot knock them, can’t take anything away from them, everyone else fell short and in the end they were probably the strongest team in it.
“But it’s a great chance to challenge ourselves against the champions and we believe on our day that we can beat anyone. So, we need to go to Anfield and give it absolutely everything.”
Rice looking forward to Anfield test
After Arteta’s ridiculous Champions League claims, it is refreshing to hear Rice give credit to a team who bettered them easily in the Premier League.
Arsenal have a chance to show they can still battle it out with Liverpool on Sunday, though, and Rice says he and his teammates are looking forward to playing at Anfield again.
“It’s a chance to go to Anfield, which is an amazing stadium to play at, and put on a performance and hopefully win the game,” says the 26-year-old.
“That’s what we’re going to set out to do. There’s three massive games to go and Liverpool being the first, so we want to take a lot of energy there and do the best we can.”
With the Reds already on the beach after wrapping up the title two weeks ago, Arsenal may never have a better chance to win at the home of the champions. But don’t bet against Liverpool showing their dominance either.