Rice hails Arsenal's first Anfield win in 14 years as title defence belief grows

Declan Rice insists Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday, their first victory there in 14 years, has deepened the squad’s conviction that a back-to-back Premier League title is within reach — but the midfielder was quick to urge caution with the season barely into November.

The result moved Arsenal three points clear at the top of the table and nine ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, with Mikel Arteta’s side also opening up a three-point gap on Manchester City. Arteta himself played in the last Arsenal team to win a league game at Anfield, back in 2012.

“Yeah, I think any team who has won here in the past has never had it easy,” Rice said. “It’s always going to be tough coming to Anfield so we had to dig in, we had to give it everything because they throw so many attacks at you. We had to be resilient and strong.”

Rice was effusive in his praise for Arteta’s methods, crediting the manager’s attention to detail and the collective spirit he has built at the club. “The way the manager has everything under control, the way everyone works towards everything he wants is not like anything I’ve ever seen before,” he said.

The defensive display was historically impressive. Arsenal became the first team to prevent Liverpool registering a single shot on target in a Premier League match at Anfield since records began in 2003 — a statistic that underlined just how disciplined and organised Arteta’s side were throughout.

Despite the landmark result, Rice was measured about what it means at this stage of the campaign. “I’ve learned in this league November means nothing. You just have to win as much as you can and in February or March, if you are there or thereabouts, you are in with a chance.”

He also acknowledged the threats posed by their rivals. “Look at Liverpool. They have secretly gone under the radar, their attack is incredible, the defence is really good. Man City have started really strong, Chelsea are there or thereabouts — so just keep winning and take each game as it comes.”

Rice drew a parallel with Arsenal’s recent 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, another hard-fought result that lacked fluency but delivered the points. “Every game is different, no game is plain sailing, it is always going to be tough,” he said. “But results like this just make it that extra bit special, so we are delighted.”