DECLAN RICE claims Arsenal are suffering from “through the roof” title anxiety — in SEPTEMBER.
The Gunners were in danger of blowing two home points on Saturday before two stoppage-time goals clinched a 4-2 Prem win over promoted Leicester.
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And midfielder Rice insists his title favourites are already experiencing “Squeaky Bum Time” with 32 League games to go.
He said: “Mentally, it’s tough having so many games to get up for.
“The anxiety is through the roof because you know the pressure of playing for Arsenal. If you want to win Premier Leagues you need to win, otherwise pressure mounts.”
“We knew coming into this game how big it was. When it went to two-all, it was tough.
“You look up at the clock and think, ‘We’ve still got time here’, but you’ve also got another thought of, ‘We cannot drop points, we can’t lose this game, we have to keep going’.
“You can’t drop points if you want to compete at the end of the season and win the title. We kept going, kept believing and in the end the three points were massive.
“The first half was probably the most comfortable we’ve been all season in terms of passing and dominating the ball. But at the end it was like a sigh of relief because we won.
“We deserved to win, so lots of positives to take but still so much to improve on.”
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The task for Arsenal now is to maintain their focus for a week that contains tomorrow’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain before Saturday’s league visit from Southampton.
Rice added: “It’s tough, but mentally we have to wrap our heads around the schedule and make sure we’re doing everything we can off the pitch to prepare and be ready.
“The games are coming fast, with so few training sessions to prepare.
“We always believe in what we do. That comes from the manager — that we keep pushing.
“The Champions League is a different format now. We’re excited because we’ve not played PSG before.
“It’s our second group game and it’s massive. You normally find these games in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.”
Pressure on Leicester is equally intense as they continue to seek their first Premier League win following last season’s promotion.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard put Arsenal two up before a James Justin brace for the visitors.
Late on, an own goal by Wilfred Ndidi and a strike from Kai Havertz sealed the Gunners’ victory.
Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was magnificent at the Emirates, flying across his goal to make a succession of superb second-half stops.
The Dane pulled off 13 saves in the match — one shy of the Premier League record — but admitted he would rather be less busy.
Hermansen said: “There are always mixed feelings.
“As a keeper I am trying to help the team whenever it is needed, but it was a bit too much here for me to do.
“And conceding 36 shots is a bit much. That is something we have to improve as a team.”
Arsenal player ratings
By Tony Robertson, Digital Sports Reporter
LEANDRO TROSSARD inspired Arsenal to a dramatic injury-time 4-2 win after Leicester’s second-half fightback
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the players…
David Raya – 6
After quiet first half Spaniard had to be alert in the second. Quick distribution allowed Arsenal to sustain attacking pressure.
Could do nothing for the goal after being wrong-footed by the Havertz deflection and was at full stretch for Justin’s world class equalising volley.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Showed off both sides of his game with some good early interceptions before a superb low cross to set up Martinelli’s opener.
Skied a shot over the bar following a goal mouth scramble in the second half.
William Saliba – 7
Expertly marshalled Jamie Vardy whenever caught in a one-v-one situation in the first half.
Gave away a free-kick against the Foxes ace which ended up going in after a deflection off Havertz.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
After being centre of attention against Tottenham and Man City, the Brazilian had a more low-key day dealing with the Foxes, at least in the first half. His problems today were more on the ball than off.
Saw one near-post header miraculously saved by Hermansen in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Closed down a dangerous chance early on after some sloppy midfield play from Thomas Partey, often tucked into midfield when in possession and looked very comfortable in the role.
Went missing for Justin’s equaliser and was booked in the second half for a trip on Facundo Buonanotte. Denied by a goal with a far-post header by a superb Hermansen save.
Thomas Partey – 5
Caught out on the ball in the opening stages by Ndidi but recovered to play some nice passes.
Seemed absent from the midfield at times when asked to defend.
Declan Rice – 6
Made some good runs into the attacking third and was always able to offer an option. Delivered some dangerous corners and provided energy in midfield, even if much of the rest of his impact on the game was limited.
Saw a pass into Havertz on the edge of the area result in a penalty appeal that was waved away.
Kai Havertz – 7
Back in midfield role today and looked assured in much of his play. Nodded a header agonisingly wide in the 37th minute. Saw Leicester’s goal just after half-time deflect in off his chest to wrong foot Raya.
Only denied a goal by a world-class save by Hermansen and was denied a penalty moments later. Showed desire to get to the far-post and score a last-minute goal and make it 4-2 after a Jesus run.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Usual bright self and tested the gloves of Hermansen early on before smart switch to play in Martinelli, who should have done better before skying his shot over the bar. Moments later played in Timber before he set up the opener.
A real captain’s performance from the winger with the most chances created, most shots and most completed dribbles out of any of his team-mates – and he chipped in with an assist.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Naughty tackle from ex-Spurs man Oliver Skipp didn’t dampen his spirits as he ended his goal drought by netting from Timber’s low cross. Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the first half and ended with an assist for Trossard on the stroke of half-time.
Faded in the second half and did not get back in time for Justin’s equaliser before being hooked for Sterling.
Leandro Trossard – 9
Tigerish work leading the line and forced a number of high turnovers, one of which led to a good Martinelli chance being saved by Hermansen. Got a goal for his efforts with a deft side foot into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.
Struck the wood work in the 58th minute and should have scored after Arsenal won the ball back high. Was eventually the match winner with a scruffy injury time strike from close range.
Subs
Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli 74 mins) – 5
Didn’t make much impact after coming on.
Ethan Nwaneri (on for Partey 85 mins) – 7
First act after getting the ball was to dribble and curl a shot to the far corner, which was destined for the net if not for a superb Hermansen save.
Gabriel Jesus (on for Trossard 94 mins) – 6
Dribble and shot helped Havertz net a last minute goal.