‘Emotional’ Declan Rice hails Arsenal belief as Premier League title glory beckons | OneFootball

Arsenal are on the cusp of securing their first Premier League title in 22 years, with midfielder Declan Rice expressing the team’s unwavering belief after a crucial 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.

The Gunners now stand just one match away from glory, following Kai Havertz’s first-half header that sealed the win. The championship could be theirs as early as Tuesday night, avoiding the tension of a final-day shootout, should Bournemouth prevent Manchester City from winning at the Vitality Stadium.

The north London club’s title aspirations appeared to falter after a defeat by rivals Manchester City on April 19, which threatened to derail their bid for a first championship since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ triumphed in 2004.

However, Rice rallied his teammates on the Etihad Stadium pitch, insisting "it’s not done." Since then, Arsenal, who have finished as runners-up for the past three seasons, have bounced back impressively, winning their subsequent four matches without conceding a goal.

"Look, it is in our hands," Rice stated, with Arsenal set to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. "We have turned it around. We have won every game since we last lost and that is all we tried to do, to keep winning and to stay positive.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game on Monday (Getty)

“We knew on the inside that we had the belief and we could still win it. We haven’t won it yet, there is still one to go. And Sunday is going to be proper."

He added: "But it’s emotional because where this club has come from over the last 10 years – the ups and downs. I wasn’t here before, but I knew about it, I heard about it and to be a part of what is going on now is so special.

“This club deserves really good things and we have worked really hard towards that, so let’s keep pushing."

A formidable defence has been the bedrock of Arsenal’s success this season. The clean sheet against Burnley marked their 19th of the campaign, with goalkeeper David Raya securing the Golden Glove award for the third consecutive season.

Rice was quick to praise his defensive colleagues, saying: "I don’t know where this club would be without the back four and the goalkeeper. It is stuff I have never seen before.

“The way they commit to training every day, the way they are available every week and what they give to fight for this club is extraordinary.

“They deserve everything, on top of what they have done for the last few seasons, for the work they are putting in for all of us."