Arsenal in terrific form but Rice well aware they cannot afford any slip-ups in title race
Declan Rice knows in-form Arsenal cannot afford any slip-ups as they continue to fight with Liverpool and Manchester City in an almighty title tussle.
Having ended 2023 with back-to-back defeats by West Ham and fulham, the gunners have responded with a run of seven straight Premier League victories.
The latest came on Monday as shambolic Sheffield United were humbled 6-0 at Bramall Lane, moving Mikel Arteta's third-placed side back within two points of leaders Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds host fellow title contenders City on Sunday - a match both sides will start bumped down the standings should Arsenal beat Brentford the previous day.
"I think it has been a hell of a comeback since the Christmas period, when we lost two in a row," big-money summer signing Rice said. "I think there was a lot of talk when we had the winter break.
"We came back and that full week in Dubai was just full focus on Palace and winning that game, getting the momentum back swinging our way.
"Since we have had that game, we have really done that and we are looking really strong, really positive.
"But it is the Premier League, you need to be on it every single game. You can't have any slip-ups. We are really enjoying and relishing winning football matches."
Rice and his team-mates have to maintain that focus for 11 more matches, with Arteta suggesting 90 points may be needed to win the title.
"I think if you look at the two other teams at the top, they don't look like they are going to slip up anytime soon," the England midfielder said.
"Obviously we were the last to play, so it is always on our mind that we have to win if we want to stay in it.
"There is such a long way to go, anything can happen, 11 games of football is a really long way. Hopefully we can keep winning matches, but it is one game at a time.
"We have been in this position before and I think it is just stay humble. Wait for the games to come and attack them when the day arrives."