Declan Rice Calls Victory Over Spurs 'Huge' as Arsenal Sets Sights on Premier League Glory Amid Quadruple Aspirations

DECLAN RICE told his Arsenal team-mates: Nobody will give us the title, we have to go and win it.

The Gunners superstar insists they have the mentality to win the Prem despite throwing away a two-goal at Wolves to draw 2-2 on Wednesday night.

Declan Rice has admitted beating Tottenham is ‘massive’ for Arsenal’s title hopesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Rice spoke to SunSport ahead of Sunday’s North London DerbyCredit: Dan Charity

Rice revealed a “firm chat” in a team meeting on Friday showed the togetherness of the squad.

And the England midfielder reckons Sunday’s North London Derby against arch rivals Spurs is “the perfect game” to get their title charge back on track.

Following disappointing back-to-back draws with Brentford and Wolves, Rice called for the club, players and fans to stay united as they try and win a first Prem crown in 22 years.

Rice told SunSport: “We’re not going to be handed it, we need to go and win it, we need to deserve it and we need to be ready for anything that is thrown at us.

“We spoke to each other in a firm way after Wolves, we knew we’d let ourselves and the fans down after being in such a good position.

“Letting it slip is not the standards that we have set ourselves this season. We had a team meeting and we are ready to go again.”

Boss Mikel Arteta honoured the players’ day off on Thursday after Arsenal’s agony of dropping two points following Tom Edozie’s 94th-minute leveller before all attentions turned to facing Tottenham.

After finishing second three years in a row, some Gunners fans fear that Arteta’s side could lose their five-point lead over Manchester City and miss out again.

But Rice said: “At this stage of the season we need the supporters with us more than ever. We’ve come this far together. Now is not the time to be turning against each other.

“We need everyone on the same page, same path, keep fighting (as fans) for these players, for this club.

“Keep believing in us, keep pushing us and hopefully we can bring some special things with everyone’s help. So let’s keep going.”

Pep Guardiola’s side host Newcastle on Saturday night and a home victory would put them two points behind by the time leaders Arsenal kick-off at the Tottenham Stadium.

City have a game in hand while Arteta’s men also have to to travel to the Etihad on April 18.

The clubs also meet in next month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley as the season builds to a dramatic climax.

But Rice said: “The North London derby is the perfect game to respond to that. It’s a massive game, one that is going to be massive in our season.

“There is a long way to go, there’s still a lot to be positive about, there’s perspective here.

“We’re still having an amazing season and we can’t let any outside noise disturb that.

Rice is under no illusion about the pressure that comes with the North London DerbyCredit: Getty

“When we say about mentality, we’ve shown unbelievable mentality all season to be where we are, we aren’t going to let anything get in the way of that.”

Rice accepted that the Wolves draw felt like a defeat but there will be no stepping off the gas against Spurs in what will be a red-hot atmosphere, with their local rivals starting life under interim boss Igor Tudor.

He added: “We don’t need to have a conversation in terms of what the derby means to the club, the fans, the players know that.

“It’s not just about how you play, it’s about how many duels you’re going to win, how much you want to win for this team and this club. We’re going to be ready.

“We believe we have a squad to win every game, the mindset and the mentality is there. Look at this season, we’ve lost three games in all competitions, that’s it.

“It’s never going to be easy if we are going to win our first league title in 22 years.”

Rice is desperate to break Arsenal’s trophy drought against Man CityCredit: Dan Charity