Arsenal have a seven-man leadership group this season and, bit by bit, Declan Rice has climbed the ranks to become the main man.
Some of that is down to injuries, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino all missing large parts of the campaign. But it also reflects the trust Rice has earned. A former captain at both West Ham and England, he was chosen by his teammates to lead the side in the last two games, ahead of Gabriel Magalhaes.
“They made a decision because Declan has earned it as well,” [revealed Mikel Arteta](https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-artetas-post-sporting-presser-1) after Wednesday’s clash with Sporting Lisbon.
“The status, the role, the way he’s taking ownership as well in difficult moments. He’s a great leader, he’s a top player for us, and I love the players to take ownership.”
All signs point to Rice keeping the armband when Arsenal head to Manchester City on Sunday. It’s a fixture being framed as a title decider, one that could shape how Arteta’s reign is viewed. Win, and a first league title in over two decades is within reach. Lose, and with their lead already trimmed, the questions will come.
From the stands, it’s a nerve-shredding prospect. Rice, though, is leaning into it.
“It’s beautiful. I can’t wait. It’s why we play the game,” he told [Sky Sports.](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13532447/declan-rice-arsenal-ready-for-ultimate-test-at-man-city-in-huge-premier-league-title-race-showdown)
“When you’re a kid watching games and when you’re watching the Premier League as a kid, you see these big matches, these title-defining moments. It comes down to if you’re going to be ready and how much do you want it.”
City’s win over Arsenal in the League Cup final in March still lingers. Pep Guardiola’s side denied the Gunners a first major trophy since 2020 and have kept the pressure on since, progressing in the FA Cup at Liverpool’s expense and beating Chelsea in the league. Arsenal, meanwhile, blinked first last weekend, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth. Their lead now stands at six points.
“They’ve obviously been in really good form recently,” Rice admits. “No-one is going to hand you anything in this league. The boys are ready. We spoke as a group and we know what’s required. Bring it on.”
Reflecting on the pain of that final defeat, he added: “It hurts losing every final.
“We had to show them respect. We shared the pitch for 90 minutes and, ultimately, on the day, they were the better team. It would have been wrong for us to walk inside and not show that respect.
“To see them lift that, it did hurt. There is that fire in the stomach to eradicate that on the weekend.
“With six games to go in the Premier League, we know how big it is. It’s the ultimate test, but it’s why we play this game. Let’s bring it on.”
Arsenal have not won at the Etihad during Pep Guardiola’s time in charge. Their last victory there came in 2015, and before that you have to go back to a League Cup win in 2010. It is a grim record, one that points not just to a gap in quality over the years, but perhaps something mental too.
On Sunday, it won’t just be about facing Manchester City. It will be about confronting that history, and the weight of expectation that comes with it. Everyone is waiting for Arsenal to fall short. To change the narrative, Rice and co. have to prove otherwise.