“When you have a blip in the league, you get written off” - Arsenal star hits out at people who got ‘carried away’ and ruled Gunners out of title race

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has had a go at critics who dismissed the Gunners' Premier League title hopes following a recent slump. The comment came following the team's 2-0 home win over Manchester United in midweek.

After a bright start to their league campaign, Mikel Arteta's side navigated a four-game winless streak, losing twice, which saw them drop down the title race. However, they returned to winning ways with a 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest.

Since then, the Gunners won 5-2 at West Ham United before beating Ruben Amorim's United on Wednesday (December 4). They are third in the standings after 14 games, behind Chelsea on goal difference and trailing leaders Liverpool (35) by seven points.

"When you have a blip in the league you get written off," Rice told Amazon Prime (via Eurosport). "We stick together as a group, and we knew the run of results were not good enough, now we're starting to see a turn of that.

"People get carried away. You just need to be around it in February time. Liverpool have dropped points, they're seven away so we will see what happens."

Runaway leaders Liverpool dropped points in midweek. After a 2-0 home win over four-time defending champions Manchester City, Arne Slot's side were held to a 3-3 draw at Newcastle United. Nevertheless, they have a comfortable cushion at the top as they eye their second title in the Premier League era.

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Manchester United boss dissects Arsenal defeat

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (left)

Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates at the weekend, thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba after the break. United boss Amorim rued conceding both goals from set-pieces.

Following the defeat - Amorim's first as United boss - the Red Devils dropped to 11th in the standings, winning just five of their opening 14 games. The former Sporting CP boss told the BBC (as per Eurosport):

"The set pieces changed the game. We could've been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box. Until the set pieces, the game didn't have too many opportunities for both sides. The set pieces killed the game.

"We tried to play, but they are a very organised team, and it's hard to score. I felt the players were in control of the game. The set pieces changed the game in the second half."

The Gunners next take on Fulham away in the league on Sunday (December 8) as they eye a first Premier League title since 2004.