Declan Rice vents frustrations with ‘naive’ Arsenal team-mates after Man Utd draw

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice couldn’t hide his frustration in the aftermath of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United as the Gunners lost more ground in the title race

Declan Rice admitted Arsenal almost gifted Manchester United all three points following their draw at Old Trafford.

The Gunners lost more ground in the title race after failing to beat Ruben Amorim’s team, who took the lead just before half time courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes free kick. Rice scored for Arsenal in the second half to make it 1-1.

Liverpool are now 15 points clear of their title rivals after beating Southampton on Saturday. But it could have been worse for Arsenal, who were fortunate to survive a couple of late scares.

Rice refused to concede the title post-match, but he did slam the ‘naivety’ of his team-mates in the second half as Fernandes almost struck again at the death.

“In the first half, we had some beautiful bits of play but didn’t have that cutting edge,” Rice told Sky Sports.

“In the second half, we were very naive and almost gave the game to Man United. To get back in the game and to score and keep pushing. It’s probably a fair point in the end.”

He continued: “We scored seven midweek and that’s not luck. PSV hadn’t lost at home for two years. Man United did well and sat in the low block well. it can take 90 minutes to break that down. There wasn’t much in the game.

“I was happy [with his goal]. I think it’s a bit of football banter between me and the fans. It’s an area I want to keep getting in and I’ve been creating more chances. I need to keep adding goals. The manager wants to play me at number eight to add goals and assists.

“The chance at the end with Bruno and David making two great saves, that’s why I say that naivety. it was down to us and we could have thrown the game away. Like the manager said, we’ll keep going until the end of the season. Liverpool have been amazing all year. We’re Arsenal. We’ve been hit hard by injuries. We’ll keep going and we’ll be alright.”

While Arsenal now seem unlikely to win the title, they do still have a game in hand on Arne Slot’s side, who do not have a Premier League fixture next weekend as they play Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

The Gunners face PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against PSV Eindhoven – where they lead 7-1 on aggregate – before hosting Chelsea in the league next Sunday.

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