Declan Rice: Arsenal set for 'ultimate test' at Man City in huge Premier League title race clash

Declan Rice insists Arsenal are ready to shake off the hurt of their Carabao Cup final by making a “massive statement” in what he described as the “ultimate test” against Man City at the Etihad on Sunday.

The Gunners secured their second successive Champions League last-four spot for the first time in their history with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates a week after Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time first-leg winner in Portugal and will now face Atletico Madrid for a place in the final.

But first, Arsenal aim for Premier League victory over Manchester City, live air sports On Sunday, as they look to strengthen their bid for a first Premier League title in 22 years.

And after beating City in the Carabao Cup at Wembley last month, Rice insists his side are ready for the clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.

“It’s beautiful,” Rice said during Sunday’s clash at the Etihad. “I can’t wait. That’s why we play the game.

“When you’re a kid watching games and when you watch the Premier League as a kid, you see these big games, these title-defining moments. It comes down to whether you’re going to be ready and how much you want it.

“Obviously they’ve been in really good form recently. Nobody’s going to give you anything in this league.

There was a lot of noise, but ultimately it depends on us as players. That’s why we are professionals. That’s why we play this game and yes, to go there and win would be a massive statement.

“The boys are ready. We’ve talked as a group and we know what’s needed. Bring it on.”

In pain to see Man City lift the Carabao Cup final and want to overturn that result, Rice added: “It hurts to lose every final

“We had to show them respect. We shared the pitch for 90 minutes and ultimately, on the day, they were the better team. It would have been wrong to walk in and not show that respect.

“To see them pick it up, it did hurt. There’s that fire in the belly to put it out this weekend.

“With six games left in the Premier League, we know how big it is. It’s the ultimate test, but that’s why we’re playing this game. Let’s bring it on.”

Rice fully fit ahead of City clash

Rice was a major doubt to face Sporting but has recovered enough from an illness to play the full game.

The England midfielder, who was named as captain for the game, allayed any fears about his fitness ahead of the game against City.

“I’m completely fit,” Rice said. Yes, I have been sick for the last two days. I was in bed, not feeling well. In order to come out against Sporting, I naturally recovered enough in the morning to be able to play.

“I wasn’t at 100 percent, but to help this team out, I didn’t miss a quarterfinal to try to get to a semifinal. I was good enough to go there and play.”

“But, yeah, it’s just a little sickness and I’m over it now and until Sunday.”

Mikel Arteta revealed after the game that the players chose Rice as captain in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, who missed the game along with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.

When asked if he sees himself as a great leader for the team, Rice said, “Yeah, definitely. We want those players back. We need them.

“They’re three of our biggest and best players and we’ve missed them a lot in big games this year. But if the game was yesterday I probably wouldn’t have played or the day before.

“But the fact that I recovered enough to play, I knew myself and in my head that I was ready to go out there and play. That’s what it’s all about, playing for this club under any circumstances. I’m glad I did it tonight and we’re through.”

‘Rice leadership crucial for Arsenal’

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira on Declan Rice’s leadership:

“I don’t know how he (Rice) is in the dressing room, but something I like on the field, he is the engine of the team, the driving force of the team.

“I like to see him go forward, make runs, I like to see him challenge for the tackles because when you win the ball in midfield it shows your teammates that you are there and what you have to do.

“His natural leadership will be very important for the rest of the season.”

Neville: Rice needs to step up against City

Meanwhile, Gary Neville believes Rice will need to make a big impact against City on Sunday if Arsenal are to succeed at the Etihad, but Roy Keane is not convinced the 27-year-old has it in him.

“I do think Declan Rice is somebody… When he went to Arsenal for £100m I was devastated. I think he’s a Manchester United player,” Neville told the Stick to football podcast.

“He’s the player, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, that Manchester United would always have signed back in the day. You don’t let Declan Rice go to any other club. He’s a player who can win you the league.

“For me, he’s the player I’m looking at on Sunday. It’s not me putting pressure on him. It’s me expecting it to be the Roy Keane moment, the Gerrard moment.

“He’s a force on the field and he’s the one player on the field that I think can get a grip from an offensive and defensive point of view and make the difference.

“That’s what I’d like to see from him on Sunday.”

However, Keane replied: “He’s a good player but I don’t think he gets a hold of people.

“I mean falling out with people and challenging people in the dressing room.

“I want him to challenge people. Against Bournemouth, and there were other games where things didn’t go right, I don’t see him challenging people.

“His performances are good, but it’s not enough.”

“Rice remains Arsenal’s true leader”

Sky Sports’ Oliver Yew:

Martin Odegaard is still captain in name, but Rice is now undoubtedly Arsenal’s leader.

That was epitomized this week when he rose from his sickbed to lead the Gunners to a second consecutive Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history.

It was clear to see he wasn’t 100 per cent and he was far from his best against Sporting, but he never stopped running for the cause, cutting an exhausted figure at full-time.

That effort and willingness to push his body to the limit was not lost on his teammates either, as Arteta revealed that the players voted for Rice to have the captain’s armband against Bournemouth and Sporting.

And with Gabriel Magalhaes usually next in line in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, Rice’s promotion represents a stark change in the leadership hierarchy at Arsenal.

There is an argument that Rice doesn’t need the captaincy to show his leadership for the Gunners, but with Odegaard’s fitness issues seemingly not going away, Rice continues to show he would be the ideal replacement should a change of captain happen.

Watch Man City vs Arsenal on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports from 4pm; kicks off 4:30 p.m