RICE: I’M NEVER A BOTTLER

DECLAN RICE insists this is the time for Arsenal to prove they are no bottlers – warning Manchester City they are now facing a different animal altogether.

The £105milllion signing is relishing the chance to knock Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners off their perch, while also silencing Arsenal’s few remaining doubters following last year’s agonising title-chase collapse.

Ahead of today’s season-defining clash, Rice said: “Everyone knows what people say about Arsenal when they don’t win games or if they get close. Like when they missed out on the top four two years ago and last year when they lost the league.

“This is a new Arsenal that has learnt from last year, a group of players getting older and more experienced.

“We brought in some great players over the summer as well, who have all had a massive impact and I think we’re ready to change what people say about Arsenal.

“But it’s down to us. We’re the ones that have to go on the pitch and do it, it’s a mentality thing now. How much do we actually want to do something and win something for this club?”

Arsenal currently sit top of the table, above Liverpool on goal difference and one point clear of third-place City, who they have already beaten in both the Premier League and Community Shield this season.

Underdog

But Guardiola has previously made light work of the Gunners on home soil, winning all seven of his top-flight meetings by an aggregate scoreline of 21-4.

Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since January 2015, but Rice said: “Let the odds be stacked against us. I’d rather go there and be an underdog. The worst thing is being spoken up in such a big way and then you don’t go there and perform.

“I’d rather people say we’re this and we’re that, and we go there and shock people and show them how good we are.” Arsenal are also bidding to end Rodri’s remarkable 62-match unbeaten record in all competitions. “He’s a monster,” Rice said, of the Spaniard, who has missed City’s last five defeats in all competitions.

“Even when you speak to the City lads at England, they say when Rodri doesn’t play, they feel the difference. Visibly, you can see that, too. He’s a top player.”

While he has learnt to embrace change, one thing remains the same – Rice does not like beer. But, the former West Ham captain, who lifted the Europa Conference League trophy in Prague, will be drinking from the bottle if he helps Arsenal end a 20-year title hoodoo. Rice (left, with Jorginho) added: “There’s a picture of me and David Moyes in Prague – we had a can of Heineken. I literally had one sip and put it down. But look, if we win – I don’t want to think about that yet – but if that time comes and we do end up lifting something, we’ll want to enjoy ourselves.”