Ronaldo backs Man Utd to ‘rise’ again, says he will ‘own a big club’ in future
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Declan Rice said that he hopes 2025 brings trophies for Arsenal, with the London club not winning a major trophy since their 2020 FA Cup triumph.
Arsenal jumped back to second in the Premier League table on Friday after a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz scoring the game’s only goal.
Victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s side.
“It has been a good year. We have done well, but it is not what we want,” Rice told Prime Video following the game.
“We’ve been so close to winning the Premier League twice, we’ve gone far in the cup [League Cup] and we’re in the semi-finals that are in February.
“Hopefully, the new year brings trophies, this club deserves that. We’ve been pushing for that, the manager has been pushing for that.
“To make that next step to be among the elite we have to win stuff. We can keep winning games, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win anything.”
Losing his vital contribution could be disastrous for Arsenal if they want to keep pace with Arne Slot’s side. The England winger has scored nine goals and made 13 assists in all competitions so far this season.
“He come off early in the game the other day, we had a really good win,” Rice added.
“Tonight was different out there without him. He’s obviously been our main man for the last couple of years now. We are going to have to adapt, for sure.
“There are players that of course, everyone wants to step up and contribute more and it’s a great chance over the coming months to make that mark.”
The midfielder also reflected on the change and evolution in his own game, explaining how free he feels in the ‘eight’ role under Arteta compared to playing in the ‘six’ role.
He said: “I feel like I can do whatever the manager wants me to do.
“I feel like I’ve always been best as a six, but as I’ve come here I’ve started to learn the eight role and I feel really free in that eight role, moving up and down the pitch, being a bit more box-to-box.
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“Sometimes when the manager asks me to arrive in the box it is a bit unnatural for me, but it makes me more hungry for goals. Depending on the opposition, I’ll play wherever the manager needs me to play.
“I had a bit of a slow start to the season off the back of the Euros, but I feel much more back to myself.”
Arsenal set for ‘big push’
Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossrad celebrate a goal against Ipswich Town.
Image credit: Getty Images
After being denied the last two Premier League titles by Pep Guardiola’s dominant Manchester City side, who are in poor form this campaign, Arsenal have to contend with Slot’s seamless transition into the Premier League.
Having lost just once in the league, Liverpool are flying at the top of the table with 42 points.
“Massive respect to them,” Rice said on The Reds. “We’re up against them, they’re one of our rivals.
“They are full throttle. They were like it under [Jurgen] Klopp, they’ve been like it under Slot. They don’t let anyone breathe and we need someone to help us out so they can drop some points. But we can only focus on ourselves and keep winning our matches. It’s a big push now.
“Anyone can beat anyone now. I don’t feel like the Premier League is what it used to be where a team could rock up and you knew you’d win. It’s a tough game every single game.
“It’s going to be a long end to the season but one we’re ready for, and we need to keep pushing.
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