‘There was no way I was missing a quarter-final’ – Rice on his fitness, Champions League win and Man City clash
‘There was no way I was missing a quarter-final’ – Rice on his fitness, Champions League win and Man City clash Declan Rice has warned Manchester City that Arsenal will arrive at the Etihad without fear and fuelled by a desire for revenge as the Premier League title race reaches its defining moments. Fresh from captaining the Gunners into a second successive Champions League semi-final , Rice made it clear Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to embrace the pressure and erase the lingering pain of recent defeats to Pep Guardiola’s team. “It’s beautiful.
I can’t wait,” Rice said. “It’s why we play the game. These title-defining moments.
It comes down to if you’re going to be ready and how much you want it. “To go there and win would be a massive statement. These boys are ready.
We’ve spoken as a group. We know what’s required. So yeah, bring it on.
” There is added edge to Sunday’s showdown after Arsenal were forced to watch City lift the Carabao Cup earlier this season – a moment Rice admits still burns. “It hurts losing every final,” he said. “To see them lift that, it did hurt.