Arsenal Midfielder Declan Rice Eyes Title Sweep After Narrow 1-0 Victory Over Newcastle

Declan Rice insists Arsenal must win their four remaining matches after a 1-0 win over Newcastle kept them on top of the Premier League table.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 26, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Arsenal.com

The Final Countdown for the Premier League Crown

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has signaled a defiant tone in the wake of the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in the 34th round of the Premier League. Following a narrow defeat to Manchester City in the previous week, which briefly dislodged Arsenal from the top spot, Rice emphasized that the team’s path to the championship is now clear. According to the England international, the squad has identified a five-match winning streak as the baseline requirement for title success. With the first of those victories secured on Saturday, Rice noted that the focus has immediately shifted to the remaining four fixtures.

Securing Points Over Performance at the Emirates

The match against the Magpies proved to be a grueling affair, with Arsenal struggling to maintain their typical fluid attacking style in the second half. Rice admitted that the team lacked a decisive pass during critical moments and could have performed significantly better in front of the goal. However, he maintained that the primary objective was to secure all three points regardless of the method or aesthetics of the play. The breakthrough came via a spectacular effort from Eberechi Eze, whose goal Rice praised as a "fantastic" addition to the weekend that ultimately settled the contest.

Resilience Against External Pressure and Noise

As the title race intensifies, Rice addressed the mounting tension and the psychological weight of competing for the club’s first league title since 2004. He stated that the players are actively choosing to ignore external noise, whether it originates from home supporters, away fans, or the broader media landscape. The midfielder insisted that the group has reached this elite stage of the season for a reason and that their success depends entirely on their internal belief and ability to continue winning football matches without being distracted by the surrounding environment.