Mikel Arteta praises Declan Rice for sparking Arsenal turnaround
Mikel Arteta has credited midfielder Declan Rice for sparking a remarkable Arsenal resurgence following last month’s devastating defeat to Manchester City.
The Gunners have managed to revive their campaign and remain in contention for both domestic and European honours.
The England international was caught on television mouthing “it’s not done” in the immediate aftermath of the crushing loss at the Etihad Stadium.
Dressing room defiance
This defiant message resonated deeply with the squad and established the psychological foundation for a renewed title charge.
The north London club have since secured consecutive victories over Newcastle United and Fulham to keep the pressure on the reigning champions.
Furthermore, the Spanish manager guided his team to the Champions League final after overcoming Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.
Focus turns to West Ham
The 42-year-old tactician revealed that the squad’s inherent determination was immediately palpable even without players needing to vocalise it.
“I think that was the start of the sentence, I think it’s not done and we’re more confident that we’re going to do it,” stated Arteta.
Arsenal now face a crucial domestic fixture against West Ham United this Sunday as they pursue an unforgettable double.
“We have shown throughout the last three or four seasons what we are capable of in terms of performances and consistency, and now it’s about delivering when the moment matters the most,” added the manager.
Harnessing positive energy
The former Everton midfielder noted that the emotional high following their European triumph is actively driving the group forward.
“I see every single day here how much we want it, and those are elements that are very positive, and we have to use them to go there on Sunday and win the game,” he explained.
Despite the buoyant mood at the training ground, the coaching staff remain adamant that the players will not get carried away before finishing the job.