Rodri’s 2024 comments about Arsenal have re-emerged and gone viral following Declan Rice’s post-match interview after the title-chasing Gunners dropped two points against Brentford on Thursday.
Arsenal now sit just four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have won six of the last eight Premier League titles, and seven clear of third-placed Aston Villa following the 1-1 away draw.
Arsenal took the lead at the Gtech Community Stadium on the hour mark through Noni Madueke. However, Brentford equalised 10 minutes later courtesy of an unstoppable Keane Lewis-Potter.
The home side had the chance to win the game in stoppage time through Igor Thiago, scorer of 17 Premier League goals so far this season, but the Brazilian striker missed the target - much to the relief of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his players.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks dejected after the match Related
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Declan Rice Speaks Out After Brentford Draw
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice look dejected after Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter scores their first goal
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, one of this season’s standout players in England’s top division, was interviewed on beIN Sports after the match. Although deflated after failing to win the game, Rice took the positives, saying: “If you can’t win a game, don’t lose”.
He added: “We’re still four points clear at the top and we’ve got to keep looking forward. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season. If anyone thinks it’s going to be easy going for the title, they’re naive. This is the best league in the world.” Watch Rice’s interview below:
Manchester City's Rodri playing against Bournemouth
However, comments that Rodri made about Arsenal have subsequently gone viral on X, with one rival fan commenting: “Everything Rodri said in that interview was right all along.”
So, what exactly did Rodri say two years ago? The Manchester City midfielder, who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, said the difference between his side and Arsenal during the 2023-24 campaign came down to mentality.
City finished that season with 91 points, two points clear of Arsenal, who could only muster a 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium at the end of March 2024. Despite winning eight of their remaining nine league fixtures - only losing 2-0 to Aston Villa in the process - the Gunners fell agonisingly short, unable to catch the eventual relentless champions.
After securing the title, Rodri said during a live TV interview on the pitch: "To be honest, I think it's in here," pointing to his head. "It's the mentality.
"Arsenal, also they deserve [to win the league], they did an unbelievable season, but I think the difference was in here [pointing to his head again].
"When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: 'Ah, these guys, they don't want to beat us, they just want a draw.'
"And that mentality, I don't think we would do it the same way. And we caught them. At the end, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games even though it's so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality." Watch Rodri's interview:
Will Man City now catch Arsenal again? That’ll be the objective for City, and the thing Arsenal are now dreading.