Declan Rice reflected on another 1-0 win for Arsenal against Burnley.
The Gunners grabbed their fourth consecutive Premier League victory with a clean sheet (and the third 1-0 triumph in that quartet of results) thanks to a first half headed effort from Kai Havertz.
‘However I can adapt and make this team better, I'll try my best’
However, the defensive unit remains the standout feature of the team. Arsenal have kept clean sheets in 19 Premier League fixtures to add to their nine in 14 Champions League fixtures. Rice has led by example as a screener at the base of a reconfigured midfield that does not include Martin Zubimendi as a starter, and the Englishman was complementary of his fellow pillars in the spine of the side.
"Since their new manager came in they have really changed the way that they play. They gave Manchester City a tough game, gave Aston Villa a tough game and it was never going to be a pushover.
“This is the most competitive this league has been. I have not seen a standard like this in terms of opposition having really good quality players. Another 1-0 win, defence and goalkeeper were incredible again, so we've just got to keep pushing and stay focused.
“I know how football works. There is a game that is on tomorrow, anything can happen in that. We can't get ahead of ourselves. I've played in the Premier League for too long to know that things can happen. The only thing we can control is ourselves, going out there on Sunday and winning that match. That is all we want. We know is at stake for this club.
*“I don't know where we would be without [**David Raya*] to be honest, and the two centre-backs. I could speak for so long about how they prepare, train and connect off the pitch, it is no coincidence how they work on the pitch. Massive props to them for the season they've had."
“This manager [Arteta] has developed me into someone that can play anywhere in midfield. I know the job that is required. There was a lot of mopping up to do tonight, a lot of second balls in front of the back four, starting attacks, giving the ball to the likes of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze.
“Whatever the manager wants from me I will always give 100%. Whatever the role is, however I can adapt and make this team better, I'll try my best.”