As the full-time whistle blew at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening, Arsenal’s players dropped to the turf in disappointment.
The Gunners’ Premier League title hopes appear to have potentially slipped away yet again following their 2-1 loss to Manchester City.
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However, despite Man City having a game in hand that can see them leapfrog their rivals to the top of the table, all hope is not lost.
And Declan Rice made sure to point that out to his teammates.
With heads dropped and confidence defeated after the loss, Rice did his best to lift Arsenal’s skipper Martin Odegaard and the team.
Footage shared after the match showed the England international shouting a defiant message towards Odegaard on the pitch.
He could be seen saying: “It’s not done, it’s not done.”
Rice shook his head and looked to have fight in his eyes as he rose back to his feet and spoke to his teammate.
The Arsenal star is not wrong that the title race remains on, with a slip-up from Man City handing the Gunners the advantage again.
But should City beat Burnley on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT, then Pep Guardiola’s side will feel they can go all the way.
A victory for the Citizens would move them clear at the top on goal difference with just five games to play this season.
And with Arsenal losing four of their last six in all competitions, they would feel that the Gunners would be unlikely to challenge.
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Arsenal still believe
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta echoed the post-match thoughts of Rice when speaking in his press conference at the Etihad.
When asked whether he believes his side can still win the Premier League, Arteta said: “I believe today, I believe on Wednesday a week ago, because I see them every day and I know the level that we have.
“But today, if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room.
“It’s a new league now. They have a game in hand. We have three points of advantage and five games to play.
“Everything is still to play for.
“We know how much we want it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”
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Man City now favourites
talkSPORT’s Ally McCoist now thinks that Man City are the new favourites to win the Premier League title after their victory.
However, similarly to Arteta and Rice, he pointed out that there is still plenty of time for things to change in the final stages of the season.
McCoist said on talkSPORT Breakfast: “The game went as I thought; City looked more comfortable on the ball.
“You could argue that, particularly in the second half, Arsenal had better chances, some brilliant efforts, one off the post.
“On another day, Arsenal could have got something, but the game went with the way the last three or four weeks have gone.
“The momentum has continued to be with City and I feel that’s the game went and yes, City are probably favourites now with the momentum…but there’s still a lot of football to be played.”
