Declan Rice calls for Arsenal inquest with Premier League title hopes dented following Aston Villa defeat

Declan Rice calls for Arsenal inquest with Premier League title hopes dented following Aston Villa defeat

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Arsenal crash to Aston Villa defeat

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/04/2024

- 21:45

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

Declan Rice has admitted Arsenal players will need to 'look at ourselves and see why we didn't win the game' following the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Gunners had gone into the game hoping to take advantage after Liverpool's surprising 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace earlier in the day.


However, that didn't happen with Arsenal losing following goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.

Rice has admitted he's hurt by the result at the Emirates Stadium, with Manchester City now favourites to win the league.

Arsenal Declan Rice Aston Villa

Declan Rice has called for an inquest after Arsenal's disappointing defeat to Aston Villa

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And the former West Ham star has called for an inquest after the disappointing setback.

"It's very disappointing. It's gutting, to be honest with you because of the chances we had in the first half to kill the game off," he told the BBC.

"Even though they hit the post at the end, we could've had two or three before that.

"When you don't take your chances against teams like Villa who have got quality, it can come back to haunt you in the second half and it did.

"It is the Premier League. It is why you need to stay focused for 100 minutes.

"The spaces we had in the first half weren't there in the second half, they were taking their time with everything and really frustrating us, of course.

"In the end, they've scored two goals and completely killed us off. It is one of them days. It happens in football. It is about rolling our socks up and going again.

"I didn't know they [Liverpool] got beat. My phone was off before the game, I didn't check the scores or speak to anyone because we can only control what we can do.

"I don't worry about the other teams.

"Obviously we didn't control that today which is obviously annoying but we've played last before and it's not been a problem so I don't think any of that really matters to be honest.

"I think it's just down to us, we can't put it down to that.

"I think us as players, we need to look at ourselves and see why we didn't win the game and why we switched off for two or three minutes, which has killed us.

"It's disappointing, but now there is the chance for a big reaction on Wednesday night and then away at Wolves.

"We're going to need to be right at it."

Rice also admitted the defeat was a 'real kick in the teeth' in an interview with Sky Sports.

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Declan Rice Arsenal Aston Villa

Declan Rice has praised Aston Villa after Arsenal's disappointing Premier League defeat

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"It's tough, really tough to take," he admitted.

"Especially with the chances we had in the first half, the spaces there was. We had to take one of them because in the Premier League, teams will come back to bite you and hurt you.

"That's what Villa did in the second half.

"We've been so dominant in games but Villa have got some unbelievable players, technically unreal and Ollie up front is a constant goal threat.

"If you can't win games of football, don't lose.

Declan Rice

Arsenal were put to the sword on Sunday with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins (pictured) scoring for Aston Villa

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"Look up at the clock with 15 to go and it's 0-0, if you aren't going to win then you take a point, especially in these situations.

"So to lose is a real kick in the teeth."

Arsenal are next in action against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night (8pm).

The Champions League tie hangs in the balance following a 2-2 draw at the Emirates on Tuesday.

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