Rice: We're fired up to land crown

DECLAN RICE insists Arsenal have the fire in their bellies needed to end their long wait to be crowned Premier League champions.

- SIMON CASS

The Gunners lead Manchester City by five points at the top of the table, having shown their bottle by thrashing Tottenham on Sunday after Pep Guardiola's men had laid down the gauntlet with victory against Newcastle.

And Rice insists the squad are determined to repay boss Mikel Arteta by winning the first title in 22 years.

The Arsenal midfielder said: "That's why I joined this football club. I fully believed in the manager's vision.

"He gives us the platform to go and play. But it's on us to take the responsibility and go and win, and I can sense that this year. I can feel that fire in our tummies, to go and do it, for sure." Rice says Arsenal want to set the tone for the title run-in by beating City in the Carabao Cup final next month.