Arsenal know that upon return from their mid-season break to Dubai they face a run of some crucial clashes in the Premier League where every game needs to be won.
Liverpool have to contend with a Merseyside Derby before Arsenal play in the Premier League again at Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta’s men could go into that clash at the King Power Stadium nine points behind Liverpool and with a mountain to climb in the race for the title.
Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss the next three Premier League games, meaning Arteta is going to have to rely on his fit and available players stepping up to perform in the Brazilian’s absence.
Declan Rice says focus off the pitch has helped him rediscover his best form
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gunners midfielder Declan Rice has been speaking about his indifferent form this season and how he has rediscovered his best performances recently.
Rice stated: “It probably was a slower start to the season for me off the back of the Euros but I’m hitting form and hitting full fitness at the right time.”
The England international credited his off field preparation and mentality to his recent upturn in form, where he has been outstanding at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
Rice explained: “The way I’ve been living my life off the pitch in terms of always focusing, gym, eating right, getting my body in the right frame of mind for what’s next. There’s been so many games these last couple of months, I’ve had to be focused and disciplined and now I’m reaping the rewards.”
Rice believes Arsenal can still achieve ‘great things’ this season
Rice also believes that the season is not lost for Arsenal and that they can still achieve ‘great things’ this season if they continue to work hard and keep their focus.
Rice stated: “There’s still a really long way to go, we know what we want to achieve and the manager said in a recent press conference, we can only worry about ourselves but come the end of the season, we will be there.”
How Arteta deals with the injury crisis and only having four available forward players upon return from Dubai will be key to any success and Rice will have a bigger attacking responsibility by driving forward from midfield.
He has picked up one goal and two assists in his last five for the Gunners and will be looking to improve those numbers further as he strives to take Arsenal to a trophy this campaign.
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