Declan Rice Confident Arsenal Can Beat Man City in Carabao Cup Final
Arsenal star Declan Rice has sent a bold message to Manchester City ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated Carabao Cup final, declaring that the Gunners are "looking forward" to the clash and believe they can defeat anyone in their current form. Rice emphasized the significance of the match, suggesting it could be a pivotal moment for Arsenal's season.
Momentum Building After Champions League Victory
The midfielder's comments come on the heels of Arsenal's impressive 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday, which secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a superb strike, followed by Rice's second-half goal to seal the result against the German opposition.
This victory extends Arsenal's unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions, a run of form that Rice believes has instilled immense confidence in the squad. "The lads are already talking about in there, we're excited, we're ready," Rice stated regarding Sunday's showdown. "And like I said at the minute every game of football we go into, we believe we can win so we'll be ready and looking forward to it."
Potential Turning Point for Arsenal's Season
Rice highlighted the Carabao Cup final as a potential catalyst for Arsenal's campaign, noting that it represents the first major trophy opportunity of the season. "Definitely, it could be the start of something," he told CBS. "It's the first trophy that is up for grabs. If you win that, the momentum after that that takes you forward is massive."
He also pointed out that this marks Arsenal's return to a final for the first time since the 2019 Carabao Cup final, adding urgency to the occasion. "So, how do you want it on Sunday? How much do you want to win a trophy for this team and these fans?" Rice questioned, underscoring the emotional stakes involved.
Arteta Praises Rice's Performance
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was quick to praise Rice's individual contributions, particularly after his 16th start of the calendar year in the Champions League match. "He was immense," Arteta told reporters post-match. "Him and the whole team – I just mentioned the soul of the team, I think the manner that they go for every ball, the passion that they show and the reaction is remarkable. Doing it every three days at that level is so difficult."
Arteta's side will now shift focus to Sunday's final against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, with Rice believing the outcome could have significant implications for the Premier League run-in over the coming weeks and months. The Gunners are aiming to secure their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, making this match a critical test of their resurgence under Arteta's leadership.
