Declan Rice Urges Arsenal to Ignore Criticism and Focus on Winning

Declan Rice has called on Arsenal to tune out external criticism and concentrate on their performance as they navigate a pivotal part of the season. After a recent FA Cup victory, Rice emphasized the importance of prioritizing results over style, especially with the team in contention for four major trophies. He acknowledged that scrutiny is part of playing for a club of Arsenal's stature but urged his teammates to focus on winning. Currently, Arsenal leads the Premier League, but with Manchester City close behind, the pressure is on to convert their strong performances into silverware. Read on to discover more about Rice's insights and Arsenal's current standing.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 9, 2026, 08:22 IST

Rice's Call for Focus Amidst Criticism

Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to disregard external criticism and concentrate on achieving results as the season reaches a crucial juncture.

The Gunners advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals following a 2-1 victory against Mansfield Town, maintaining their pursuit of four significant trophies. Despite their favorable position, the team has encountered scrutiny regarding their dependence on set-pieces and allegations of time-wasting, recently highlighted by Brighton's manager Fabian Hurzeler and midfielder Pascal Gross.

Rice Addresses External Noise

In an interview with Sky Sports, Rice acknowledged that external 'noise' is a part of playing for a prestigious club like Arsenal. He stated, 'Since joining Arsenal, there has been noise every week. That’s part of the experience here. Some people will appreciate certain aspects of your game, while others won’t. Our focus should be on ourselves, with the primary goal being to win.'

He emphasized that results should take precedence over style, especially during this critical phase of the season, highlighting the team's commitment to prioritizing trophies over stylistic discussions.

Arsenal's Standing in the League

Currently, Arsenal holds a seven-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League, although City has a game in hand. With positive momentum in both domestic and European competitions, Arsenal is determined to translate their performances into silverware, irrespective of outside opinions.